Crofter in tragedy

Found among his cattle

“I don’t think we will ever know what happened”

A well-known Western Isles crofter who was found dead among his cattle will be “a big loss to the community”.

The 58-year-old, named locally as Hector MacLeod, was out working with the animals when the tragedy happened on Berneray.

He was tending cattle alone on land close to Borve Cemetery when he died. There were no witnesses to the incident.

His body was discovered by neighbours on Tuesday and it is understood barriers containing a bull had been knocked down – with the animal later being put down.

A post-mortem examination will be carried out and, because Mr MacLeod died while working, it is possible a fatal accident inquiry will follow.

Community council chairman Donald MacLean said: “I don’t think we will ever know what happened, but Hector was working in the shed with all the cows and a bull. Somebody just found him among the cows.

“For a small place of 130 people it has come as a ter- rible shock. It is a terrible tragedy for a small place. We are all feeling it and our thoughts go out to his partner, mother and extended family. He also had a son, Andrew, from a previous relationship who came and saw him from time to time. Hector will be a big loss to the community.”

The crofter had been born and bred on Berneray. He then went on to a brief spell in the Merchant Navy before spending more than 20 years in the RAF.

Mr MacLeod returned to the island around 13 years ago with his partner, Jinny Jackson, to take over three family crofts, including one belonging to his elderly mother, Mary.

A police spokesman said: “Police in the Western Isles can confirm that a 58-yearold man has died after an incident while working with cattle on the Isle of Berneray.

“There are no suspicious circumstances and a report has been sent to the Procurator Fiscal.

“The Health and Safety Executive has also been contacted regarding the circumstances.”

A spokesman from the Scottish Ambulance Service said: “We received a call at 11.57 hours on Tuesday April 24 to attend an incident on Berneray.

“We dispatched one ambulance to the scene.”