Emotional day as Caol honours village stalwart
Family of James MacKay attend dedication of new library
A ‘very emotional and poignant day’, was how the daughter of the late Caol councillor Jimmy MacKay decribed the recent event to dedicate the new local library to her father.
As well as a local councillor for Caol between 1974 and 1996, Mr MacKay, who died in the spring of 2003, was also a keen collector of local history books and helped shape much of the village as it looks today.
Mr MacKay’s grandchildren, Lucy and Jack, who both attend Caol Primary School, unveiled the new naming plaque while proud mum Sarah Stephen looked on. As well as a performance by Caol choir, there was a short religious service.
Sarah told the Lochaber Times: ‘It’s been a year since the new campus opened and a while ago I found out that the new library still hadn’t been named, so I contacted the local community council with the suggestion of my dad’s name being used in connection with it and that was put out to public consultation.
‘My dad had not only served the village for a long time as a councillor, he was also for many years the manager of the village’s old community centre, so it seemed quite appropriate and I was delighted when the idea was approved.’
Sarah added that the event had proved quite emotional, not just for her, but for the younger members of the family also.
‘It was a very emotional day generally, even more so when my son Jack got upset saying he wished he’d known his grandad – sadly, he never had the chance to know my dad.
‘So it was really lovely that they got to unveil the plaque and have that connection with him.
‘With the choir singing, and both St Columba’s and Caol Primaries involved, it all made it a beautiful occasion for us all.
‘Many thanks to all those who made it such a special day.
‘And big thanks must most definitely go to Ann-Marie Masson from High Life Highland without whose efforts I doubt this would have happened at all.’
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