Teen who came 400 miles from Outer Hebrides
FOR the desperate family of Eilidh Macleod, three days of searching for the missing 14-year-old came to an end yesterday when it was confirmed that she had been killed by bomber Salman Abedi.
She had travelled 400 miles with her family from the remote island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides after receiving tickets to see Ariana Grande in Manchester as a birthday present.
Eilidh’s friend Laura MacIntyre, 15, who attended the concert with her, is seriously ill in hospital.
When the show finished on Monday night, Eilidh texted her mother Marion – who had gone to meet her – to say they were ready to be collected. She was never heard from again. Her father Roddy joined his wife the following day and they began searching frantically for her at hotels and hospitals across the city.
But their worst fears were confirmed yesterday when they learned that the teenager was among the 22 dead.
Last night, they paid tribute, saying in a statement: ‘Our family is devastated and words cannot express how we feel at losing our darling Eilidh.
‘Eilidh was vivacious and full of fun. She loved all music whether it was listening to Ariana or playing the bagpipes with her pipe band.
‘As a family we would like to express our thanks and gratitude for the support and kind messages we have received at this difficult time.’
Eilidh’s great uncle, Donald Manford, had earlier described her as a ‘vibrant’ young girl who took part in voluntary work on the island and was happy to give up her time to help the elderly.
The tiny island community of just 1,100 was gripped by grief as news of her death was announced. At Castle- bay High School, where Eilidh should have been sharing stories of her trip with classmates, the Saltire flew at half mast.
Pupils attended a special mass at Our Lady of the Sea church yesterday, and have been offered counselling.
The village of Castlebay ground to a halt when the church clock struck 11am as a minute’s silence in remembrance of the victims was observed.
The community group Voluntary Action Barra and Vatersay had raised more than £28,000 last night from a fundraising page set up in the hours after Eilidh’s death was announced.
It reads: ‘The incident has left the communities of Barra and Vatersay deeply shocked, with heavy hearts. Show your support for the families and donate what you can.’
Another fundraising page, set up on by family friend Alan Anderson, had raised more than £30,000.