Scotland forever
Connery’s f inal wish was to come home... and now his ashes will be scattered here, reveals widow
SIR Sean Connery’s ashes are to be scattered in the country of his birth, his widow has revealed.
The Edinburgh-born actor – who had Scotland Forever tattooed on his arm when he was a young sailor – died nine days ago at the age of 90.
Now his widow, Micheline, has said that even though the Bond star had lived overseas for many years, his ‘final wish’ was to return home.
He is to be cremated at a private service in the Bahamas and some of his ashes will be scattered on the island. The rest will be taken to Scotland when Covid restrictions are eased.
Sir Sean, who had battled dementia in his final years, died peacefully in his sleep with his wife and close family around him.
Last week, speaking from the couple’s luxury home at Lyford Cay, Nassau, Mrs Connery said: ‘We are going to bring Sean back to Scotland – that was his final wish. He wanted his ashes to be scattered in the Bahamas and also in his homeland.’
The 91-year-old Moroccan-French painter, who was married to the actor for nearly half a century, intends to carry out his wishes at the earliest opportunity.
She said: ‘Whenever it is possible and safe to travel again, then it is the family’s intention to return to Scotland with him.
‘We would like to organise a memorial service for him in Scotland – that is our hope. But we cannot say when this will happen exactly.
‘Sean will be cremated at a private service in the Bahamas and his ashes will be kept until we can travel. We do not know when this will be possible.’
Last week, she paid an emotional tribute to her late husband, saying: ‘He was gorgeous and we had a wonderful life together. He was a model latterly, of he a man.’ had She been revealed ravaged how, by dementia, saying: ‘He was not able to express himself. It was not a life.
‘I was with him all the time and he died very peacefully in his sleep.
‘He just slipped away and we were there with him all the way.’
A memorial thanksgiving service in Edinburgh would allow Sir Sean’s brother Neil, who lives in the city, to pay his respects to his only sibling.
The 82-year-old has recently suffered poor health.
It has not been confirmed where in Scotland Sir Sean’s ashes will be scattered. One option would be in the capital, where he grew up and took his first job as a milkman.
His childhood home was demolished decades ago, but Sir Sean retained a lifelong affection for the Fountainbridge area of the city. Other possibilities include the Palace of Holyroodhouse, where he received his treasured knighthood from the Queen in July 2000 while dressed resplendently in dark green MacLeod tartan.
The Palace option would mean seeking Royal permission, but the star was a friend of the Princess Royal. If the decision is based on beauty and solitude, Lochgilphead then both may Crinan be con- and sidered. The Argyll locations were used during filming for 1963’s 007 classic From Russia With Love – Sir Sean’s second outing in the role of James Bond.
‘We’d like to organise a memorial service for him’