Body of Arena bombing victim Eilidh is brought home to Barra
Clockwise from main: The view from the crowd as Ariana Grande performs; Katy Perry; a visibly emotional Robbie Williams; One Love Manchester banners and T-shirts were seen among the crowd; Ariana Grande and her backing dancers wore One Love Manchester sweatshirts for the performance; two audience members sent out a message on their T-shirts The body of Manchester terror victim Eilidh Macleod has come home to the Outer Hebrides ahead of the first funeral to come from the attack.
A small chartered plane landed at Traigh Mhor beach runway on Barra with the 14-year-old’s coffin at 12.45pm yesterday.
Her parents Roddy and Marion were on board.
Eilidh was among 22 people who died in the terrorist attack at the Ariana Grande concert on Monday, 22 May which also left dozens injured.
Her friend Laura Macintyre, a fellow pupil at Castlebay Community School on the island, was also seriously injured in the bombing at Manchester Arena.
The 15-year-old is still in hospital in Manchester.
On arrival of the plane, Father John Paul Mackinnon performed a blessing over the casket, which was draped in the green and white flag of Barra.
A procession of six firefighters and two other groups relayed the coffin at waist height 70 yards across the sandy shallow bay to the hearse.
Piper Duncan Nicholson, son of Eilidh’s piping tutor Donald Patrick Nicholson, led Donald Trump has clashed with London mayor Sadiq Khan in the aftermath of the attacks on the city.
The US president accused Mr Khan on Twitter of downplaying the attack by telling Londoners there was “no reason to be alarmed”.
This prompted anger from many in the UK who pointed out the mayor had been referring to increased police numbers on the streets. Mr Trump had earlier tweeted a message of support to the UK, but also sparked controversy after he called for his travel ban on visitors from six predominantly Muslim countries to be upheld by US courts.
“The mayor is busy working
0 A piper conducts Eilidh Macleod’s coffin to the hearse on Barra the procession with three slow airs she had been learning.
They were Mull of the Mountain, Sine Bhan and Leaving Ireland.
Donald Patrick, 76, who taught her since she was eight years old, said: “She was brilliant, a fantastic girl. It’s devastating. I’ve known her since she was in primary school. She was absolutely great, brilliant – a fantastic girl. You couldn’t get better.”
When the coffin was lifted into the hearse, Eilidh’s parents and two sisters walked across the beach to follow in a black car.
Her body was taken to the family home in Castlebay.
A crowd of around 50 people were at the airport to observe the ceremony. They could be seen embracing each other with the police, emergency services and the government to co-ordinate the response to this horrific and cowardly terrorist attack and provide leadership and reassurance to Londoners and visitors to our city,” Mr Khan’s spokesperson said.
Other world leaders expressed solidarity with the British capital over the attacks. German Chancellor Angela Merkel said she was saddened and dismayed by the eventswhichlefttwogermans injured. “Today, we are united across all borders in horror and sadness, but equally in determination.”
“I stress for Germany: in the fight against all forms of terrorism, we stand firmly and decisively at Britain’s side.” French President Emmanuel Macron joined and wiping away tears once the hearse left. Around two dozen vehicles followed as the family made its way home.
Other members of the community lined the road to pay respects as they passed.
The funeral will take place today at Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea in the village.
Scottish Government ministers – including Deputy First Minister John Swinney, Humza Yousaf, MSP and Na h-eileanan an Iar MSP Alasdair Allan – are expected to attend the ceremony.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I know that everyone in Scotland will join me in sending our heartfelt sympathy to Eilidh’s family and friends ahead of what will be the most difficult day imaginable.” in the global condemnation of Saturday’s terror attack. Four French citizens were among those injured.
“In the face of this new tragedy, France is more than ever at Britain’s side. My thoughts go out to the victims and their loved ones.”
France “will continue to fight terrorism with all its powers, alongside the United Kingdom and all affected countries”, he said.
A Canadian citizen was killed, and two Germans were injured, one critically, their governments said.
“I am heartbroken that a Canadian is among those killed,” Canadian President Justin Trudeau said. Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull said his “prayers and resolute solidarity” were with the British.