Top detectives drafted in to probe double death on isle
SPECIALIST officers have travelled from the mainland to investigate how an elderly couple died outside their island home in freezing temperatures.
Donald and Morag MacMillan – known locally as Maureen – ran the post office in the village of Gravir, Lewis.
Their bodies are thought to have been discovered by a postman around 8.30am on Friday.
Mr MacMillan, 73, was the third generation of his family to run the post office and was due to retire early next year.
One theory is that Mr MacMillan slipped on ice as he put rubbish out and was injured.
His wife, thought to be 67, then went out to help but also suffered a similar tragic end.
Police Scotland said inquiries were at an early stage but they were considering whether the freezing conditions played a part.
Inspector Roddy Mackay said: ‘We are treating their deaths as unexplained and we are carrying out a full inquiry, taking all factors into consideration.
‘That night was a particularly cold night. We are trying to get to what happened.’
Mr MacMillan had run the local post office for around 50 years – taking over from his father, also called Donald.
Both he and his wife were also involved in many community groups.
It is thought Mr MacMillan had postponed his retirement to mark his family’s centenary at the post office.
School cook Tracy Jaques, 45, said: ‘I’ve known them for 25 years and they were so kind. They ran the post office too and it didn’t matter what time it was, they would let you in.
‘I only saw Maureen on Thursday – it’s put a real shadow over us.’
She added: ‘She was the cleaner at our primary school for 40 years. She was generous and caring and always made me feel part of the community.’
Mr MacMillan’s cousin Ann Macleod, who lives nearby, said: ‘Nobody knows what happened.’
Mr MacMillan, who was a respected accordion player in his youth, was also a member with his wife of the local history society Comunn Eachdraidh na Pairc.
Chairman Donnie Morrison said: ‘We are all in shock. They were very knowledgeable about local families. They were also active in all kind of community events and will be badly missed.’
Mrs MacMillan, who worked as a care assistant as well as helping out in the post office, was a member of the Pairc Social Club.
The couple, who had no children, were also regular attendees at the nearby Pairc Free Church.
Both were strong supporters and members of the Pairc Trust, which last year bought out their area from an absentee landlord after a long battle.
John Randall, former vice-chairman of the trust, said: ‘They were in the top ten per cent of people here who supported community events and initiatives.
‘He was brought up here while Maureen came from Harris. They were really well liked widely throughout the island.
‘There is some speculation that he went out during the night and slipped and cracked his head and Maureen then tried to help, but with tragic consequences.’
Western Isles MSP Alasdair Allan said: ‘Details of this tragic incident are still emerging but I know that the community will be deeply shocked by this.’