Final wish to rest in Oban
Family travel from New Zealand to scatter John’s ashes in the bay
A family from New Zealand are planning to travel to Oban to scatter a relative’s ashes in the bay.
The family of John Montgomery, who died two years ago, say they are making the marathon trip because it was his wish to have his final remains brought to Oban.
John’s sister, Marjory McCardel, who lives in Edinburgh, wrote to The Oban Times to say: ‘His widow, Angela, and other members of his family are bringing the ashes from New Zealand to carry out his request.
‘John was a veterinary surgeon who spent most of his life working overseas, mainly in New Zealand but, for him, Oban was home.
‘During the Second World War, he had been evacuated there with my mother, and he attended Rockfield School.
‘Our grandparents, Harry and Grace Forbes, lived in Argyll Square and holidays were always spent in Oban. A highlight of these times was the building of a raft at Port Beag (next to the ferry terminal) using empty oil drums, wooden pallets and a sail made from a parachute. He spent many happy hours paddling round Oban Bay.
‘The Northern Lighthouse Board has kindly given permission for us to scatter his ashes from the Lighthouse Pier.’
While the scattering of John’s ashes will be poignant for the family, they are planning to make it a celebration of his life.
Marjory said: ‘Our family group will be travelling by train to Oban, arriving early afternoon on Friday August 17. We shall be there for just one night.
‘We are really looking forward to the occasion. We will record the event with photos and champagne! And John would be delighted!’
Marjory went on to explain the family’s links to Oban and to the Northern Lighthouse Board (NLB), as her ancestors were mariners in the service of the NLB.
She said: ‘Our great-grandfather, Captain James Carnie, served as first mate on the MV Hesperus, one of the NLB supply vessels, which berthed there more than 100 years ago.
‘His father, our great-great-grandfather, Captain James Carnie senior, had also been employed by the Northern Lighthouse Board commissioners. He and his family lived on board a hulk, anchored in Oban Bay.
‘It was a former three-masted schooner and had been on an expedition to Canada in the search for Sir John Franklin, who had disappeared trying to discover the North West Passage. De-masted, it served as a depot before the Lighthouse Pier was built.
‘Sadly, there are no close relatives still living in Oban.’