HIGHLAND CHIEF PASSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23705, 12 January 1939, Page 12

HIGHLAND CHIEF PASSES

MACKINTOSH OF MACKINTOSH IMPRESSIVE FUNERAL CEREMONY There were impressive scenes at the funeral of Mackintosh of Mackintosh, twenty-eighth chief of the Clan Chattan and Lord Lieutenant of Inver-ness-shire, whose death occurred on November, 14 last. ".,.' . ■ Simplicity' marked, the religious services, at Moy and at the burial, ground. The attendance of mourners, who came from all parts of the Highlands, was a remarkable tribute to a chief who was a great Highlander and a great gentleman. Tenantry, public bodies, clan chiefs, soldiers and representatives of every walk of life in the Highlands attended the funeral, which was" Erobably the largest which has ever een witnessed in the north. His. Majesty the King was represented. In addition to the large assemblage of mourners, many people, including school children, gathered at the roadside as the cortege passed on its 16mile journey to Petty. Over Inverness Castle and Inverness Town Hall flags were flown at half-mast. *_:■ ,:

Long before 1 o'clock, the hour of the service, tenants and estate workers, some of whom had walked many miles, gathered at Moy. Hundreds of motor cars and buses arrived from all parts of Inverness-shire, Ross-shire, Nairnshire, Badenoch, Lbchaber, and other districts carrying those desirous of. paying tribute to the departed chief. To the strains of the. Mackintosh Lament, played by a Cameron piper, the coffin, wrapped in the chief's plaid with two swords and his Balmoral bonnet with eagle's feathers, resting upon it, was carried out from the castle by tenants and employees. A short, simple service was conducted by the Rev. Hector Cameron, Moy, assisted by the Rev. John Macdougall, Daviot. The opening Psalm was the late chief's favourite, "The Lord's my Shepherd I shall not want," and the singing was led by one of the employees. A passage of Scripture was read by the Rev. Mr Macdougall, after which the Rev. Mr Cameron in his prayer referred to the late chief's fine character and public service and the, great example he had set in hfc high station. ....

The coffin was then placed on a horse-drawn farm cart. Led by three pipers playing " The Flowers of the Forest" and the " Land o' the Leal," the cortege slowly wended its way along the stately avenue to the main road, several hundred yards distant. There the coffin was placed on a motor. hearse, and the stream of motor cars, extending to almost four miles, started on its journey to Petty. The long procession, as it passed along in brilliant sunshine, was an impressive and moving spectacle worthy of the last tribute to a Highland chief who had splendidly upheld the high traditions of chiefship, and who had given great and lasting service to his beloved Highlands. On arrival at Petty a procession was formed near Castle Stuart, and the mourners, headed by pipers, of the. Highland Light Infantry, Mackintosh's first regiment, walked to the picturesque old churchyard on a hill overlooking the Inverness. Firth. ..The pipers played "The Flowers of the Forest," and behind the hearse were the chief mourners. At the entrance to the churchyard ' the coffin, covered with the . Chiefs plaid and with his swords and Balmoral bonnet resting upon it, was. car- , ried to the vault of the Mackintoshes by members of the estate staff. The vault has been the burial place of the chiefs since 1606, when Lachlan, the sixteenth laird of Mackintosh,, was interred there. It contains the remains of all subsequent chiefs, with the exception of Duncan Mackintosh..'. who was buried at Dunlichity in. 1651: because of the number of English troops then quartered in Petty. Outside the vault the Rev. John Mao dougall, Daviot, conducted the com* mittal service. When the coffin was being placed in the vault in the presence of the relatives, estate workers, and tenantry, Mr Duncan Macdonald piper to The Mackihtosh, played " The ; Mackintosh's Lament." Buglers fron> the Highland Light Infantry sounded, the "Last Post" and reveille, and the simple, yet impressive, servic* ended.