Obituary: Margaret Mackay

Bettyhill resident known for her hospitality, sharp intellect and engaging personality

Bettyhill has lost one of its eldest and most liked inhabitants with the death of Margaret Mackay. She was 89.

Her passing came peacefully, surrounded by her family at her long-time home at 47 Crask, after a lengthy illness which she bore with great dignity and fortitude.

Renowned for her hospitality and gentle humour, she had a sharp intellect and engaging personality.

Christina Margaret Mackay Bannerman was born on a croft in Skelpick, the eldest child of a family of four. She attended Skelpick primary, with one of her first daily tasks being to empty the ashes from the fire in the croft house to fuel the hearth in the classroom.

She completed her schooling with a three-year stint at the then secondary in Helmsdale.

Her teens were made much harder with the early death of her father as a result of injuries sustained while working with horses, which he loved to do. After returning home, Margaret worked in Skelpick Lodge and helped out on the croft where she focused on looking after the cattle.

She met her future husband, John Kenneth Mackay, when he came from his family croft in Crask to help with the lambing at Skelpick. The couple married in September 1952 and went to live in Inverness where John – by now working for Bettyhill-based building firm J & GB Mackay – built their home in Green Drive.

Margaret managed their finances on a small wage with the start of their family, Marcus born in 1953 and Jane in 1956.

The couple regularly hosted people from Bettyhill who came to visit and stay at their home.

The pair returned to Bettyhill in 1957 to help John’s mother Isabella with the croft following the sudden death of her husband, Angie.

The couple initially stayed in Farr before flitting to Crask in 1959, a year after the arrival of their second son, Angus.

Having an in-depth knowledge of the workings of the croft, Margaret would often be seen with her wellingtons on, striding out to work with the cattle, sheep or crops depending on the job that needed to be done.

John went on to work as a postman, receiving a MBE for his service both to the Royal Mail and to the community.

Margaret, meanwhile, started a job as an assistant cook in Farr school’s canteen in the late ’60s where she was very popular with the pupils and staff. She retired as head cook when she turned 60.

She also had a long spell acting as the local registrar, helping one couple tie the knot in the garden of the croft.

Margaret was also a valued volunteer at Strathnaver Museum where she welcomed visitors to the historic former church site

in Bettyhill.

Throughout her life Margaret made it her mission to care for others, looking after elderly relatives as well as nephews and grandchildren during long school holidays. As the youngsters enjoyed the freedom of the croft, she prepared lavish spreads to ensure no-one went hungry, and that included anybody that happened to call past the house – friends, neighbours, workmen and strangers.

Following John’s death in 1998, she married Bettyhill man Angus Mackay and lived with him in Newlands until he died in 2005. She duly returned to Crask where she lived out her days.

Margaret was a lifelong member of the Free Church. She was a regular worshipper and often provided hospitality for visiting ministers, and helped out with the running of the church.

Predeceased by her brother Marcus and sister Emily, she is survived by her sister Irene, two sister-in-laws, three children, six grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

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