FERGUS EWING: Winnie earned nickname while being voice for Highlands
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Farewell, Winnie.
Many years ago, when attending the memorial service held in Inverness Cathedral for Sir Russell Johnston, I determined that when my mother Winnie’s time came, I would ask Bishop Mark Strange if hers could be held there too. Her heart was in the Highlands, and for 23 years she served as the voice of the Highlands and Islands in Europe, earning the nickname “Madame Ecosse”.
Not only did Mark agree, but both he and Provost Sarah Murray said they would be honoured to do so. They were a huge support to the family and conducted the service held on Saturday, with dignity, sensitivity and humour.
Winnie loved the Gaelic language and the people, and so the rendition in Gaelic, by Julie Fowlis of the 23rd Psalm, would have warmed her heart.
My daughter Natasha, now 15, gave a wee tribute to her granny and my niece, my brother Terry’s daughter Ciara, gave a perfect unaccompanied version of the Dark Island, a favourite of Winnie’s.
Two eulogies were given by those old oaks of the movement, Alex Salmond and Alex Neil. In different ways, they each did her proud. And finally, the family were honoured that the three readings were given by the Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone, the First Minister, and our own Kate Forbes MSP.
The memorial service followed a smaller family funeral held two weeks before, in the Church of Scotland of which Winnie was a member. She was, both in her religion as her politics, ecumenical. She reached out to all, and for her, everyone counted.
The family are so grateful for and comforted by the good wishes and condolence messages and anecdotes from so many, and in particular to Bishop Mark and Provost Sarah for their kindness, and the choir, the organist and piper for their music. Winnie loved pipers and they often performed at ceilidhs hosted in her (small!) sitting rooms of her home in Lossiemouth or wee flat in Brussels!
The collection held was for the Inverness Cathedral fund, and so I did later remark to Sarah that, as a member of the cathedral advisory committee, I have at long last done something of some practical use!
Today, it is back to business as I attend the A9 Dualling Summit hosted by the owners of the Courier. This newspaper has earned enormous respect for speaking out so strongly for the people of Inverness and the Highlands in this campaign. So, this is a very important event and I’m pleased the Scottish Government cabinet secretary with responsibility for transport has accepted an invitation to take part.
I shall be speaking out very clearly on the steps I believe we must now take, to complete the project as quickly as possible, following failure to do so by the promised deadline of 2025.
That is what Winnie would have done and what she would now want me to do.
