Western Mail

Ariana song played at funeral of Eilidh, 14

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A “special” Ariana Grande song was played at the first funeral of a Manchester terror victim, who was brought back to her home in the Outer Hebrides.

Eilidh MacLeod, 14, was among 22 people who died in the attack at the pop star’s concert on May 22.

Her friend Laura MacIntyre – a fellow pupil at Castlebay Community School on the island of Barra – was seriously injured in the bombing at Manchester Arena and remains in hospital.

The funeral began just before 11am yesterday at the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea in Castlebay, with about 1,000 people in attendance.

Eilidh’s dad Roddy led the coffin with a rope while extended family members took it in turns to carry the coffin at waist height.

A piper played as the procession walked up to the building.

Parish priest Father John Paul MacKinnon spoke of the “gifted” and “beautiful” teenager before saying songs which were special to Eilidh would be played before the ceremony.

Mourners stood in silence with heads bowed outside the church and in the town square as My Everything by Grande was played.

Her great-uncle Donald Manford then gave a tribute.

He said: “In contrast to the hate that took her life, Eilidh’s life was and now stands as a testament forever of the world of love, innocence, goodness, kindness and faith.

“We will look after each other, we will chase our dreams, we will love one another.”

Father MacKinnon added: “Eilidh had such a warm gentle nature, a heart full of love. Our loss is certainly heaven’s gain.

“The last thing in Eilidh’s life was happiness – she had spent a wonderful weekend away from the island, going shopping, going to nice cafes, going to the cinema and then going to her pop idol’s concert – Ariana.

“She was the happiest she had ever been and that’s what we hold onto today – the happiness of Eilidh’s life.

“Those memories of Eilidh will live on in all our hearts. Every year of her life was precious to us and we thank God for blessing us with her precious life.”

Prayers were also said for Laura as she continues to be treated in hospital. A recording of Eilidh, a talented musician, piping Both Sides the Tweed was played as mourners left the church while a choir sang over it in Gaelic.

Her father led the long procession with a white rope attached to the casket. Mother Marion and Eilidh’s two sisters followed holding another rope.

The route passed the teen’s school, where the green and white flag of Barra flew at half-mast.

 ??  ?? > Roddy MacLeod, father of Manchester bomb victim Eilidh MacLeod, leads the funeral procession as it passes Kisimul Castle on the island of Barra. Right, Eilidh
> Roddy MacLeod, father of Manchester bomb victim Eilidh MacLeod, leads the funeral procession as it passes Kisimul Castle on the island of Barra. Right, Eilidh
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