Manchester concert bomb victim Eilidh Macleod laid to rest on her home island
● ‘We hold on to the happiness of Eilidh’s life’ priest tells mourners
The funeral of Manchester Arena terrorist attack victim Eilidh Macleod has been held at her home on the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides. The 14-year-old’s father Roddy led the funeral procession to the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea, in Castlebay. Businesses on the island closed for several hours as a mark of respect and to allow staff to attend the service.
“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”
Eilidh’s great-uncle Donald Manford
The family of Manchester bomb victim Eilidh Macleod paid tribute to the 14-year-old at her funeral yesterday, where about 1,000 people turned out on Barra to lay her to rest.
Speaking during the service in Castlebay, her great-uncle Donald Manford 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.” An Ariana Grande song was also played at the service, the first funeral of a victim of the Manchester Arena bombing two weeks ago.
Parish priest Father John Paul Mackinnon spoke of the “gifted” and “beautiful” teenager before saying that songs which were special to Eilidh would be played before the ceremony in the Outer Hebrides. Mourners stood in silence with heads bowed outside the church and in the town square as My Everything by Grande was played.
Eilidh was among 22 people who died in the attack at the pop star’s concert on 22 May.
Her friend Laura Macintyre, 15 – a fellow pupil at Castlebay Community School on the island – was seriously injured and remains in hospital.
The funeral began just before 11am on Monday at the Church of Our Lady, Star of the Sea in Castlebay.
Eilidh’s father Roddy led the coffin with a rope, while family members took it in turns to carry the casket.
Fr Mackinnon added: “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.”
A large procession followed the hearse to Vatersay, where Eilidh was originally from, for her burial.
Family friend Angus Macneil said: “It was a huge turnout from the island, there were maybe 90 per cent there. People just wanted the family to see the feelings and the thoughts people have had for them for a long time.”