His father, Alex Murray, was a shepherd and his mother was Johan MacKay from Melness. Eric was the youngest of the family, Tom, Donald, John and Barbara being the other children.

Eric first attended the side school at Aultimult. In 1941 the family moved down river to Braegrudy, Alex having taken over there as shepherd following the tragic loss of Donald Ross in the great storm in March of that year. One day Donald Ross was out helping Alex Mackay the keeper with heather burning, the next day he perished in a snowdrift while trying to get his sheep into shelter.

Eric, Donald and Barbara then attended Rhilochan and Rogart Schools, brothers Tom and John being now grown up and in the army. John was home on leave when the parish was struck with the scourge infantile paralysis or polio. Several people were infected and spent time in hospital, but no household suffered more than did that of the Murrays in far out Braegrudy.

Jean Thomson, then a young lass living across the hill in West Langwell, remembers this traumatic time. "My memories of that were Donald arriving breathless, after running all the way across the hill from Braegrudy, to phone for the doctor as they were sure John had died and Eric was unable to move," she said. "My father set off back with him, and other neighbours followed.

"Eric remembered the date as being 1st October, 1947. John Campbell (of Campbell's Garage, Golspie) drove the ambulance to Craggiemore and walked in with a stretcher to help those who had already gathered. Bert Matheson, Achnahuaigh, borrowed a trailer from Don Sutherland, Morness, and took John's remains and Eric out to the ambulance with his tractor. Eric's memories were of the awful pain he was in. Tommy got compassionate leave from the Army to attend John's funeral – and he took polio too. Because mother and father were so involved, my brother John and I were kept off school for a bit in case we caught it."

Eric was very ill for a long time and had various operations. These left him partially disabled but he recovered enough to lead a fairly active life helping his father run the croft at Drumirigid, which he took over on his father's retirement.

Eric had a great enthusiasm for and knowledge of piping, a tradition which was strong in his line of the Murray clan. People still speak of him playing the pipes at the Christmas parties in Rhilochan School. He was an excellent player on his chanter. His knowledge of piping was comprehensive and he corresponded with the leading pipers of his era, building up a large collection of pipe music and knowing just where to look for a particular tune.

His enthusiasm drew him down annually to attend the Dornoch Highland Games to enjoy the piping, and where the traditional hospitality associated with pipers usually proved too much for Eric and a family friend, Ali Mackenzie of Dornoch, would be called upon to get him back on an even keel.

In middle life Eric went on a journey, in mind as well as in body. We know not the story, but he settled in with the monks at Fort Augustus Abbey. He was gone from the parish for some years. When he returned, Eric was a changed person. There were no more trips to the Dornoch Games and such distractions. He had found a path in life which led him to long and faithful attendance at the Free Church. This was a blessing to all.

Eric had great knowledge of local history. Some of this has been recorded by various people and will be much valued in future years.

Recently Eric was admitted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness where, after an initial recovery, he weakened and passed away on 3rd January. His funeral from the Free Church at Pitfure was conducted by the Rev Iain McLeay, the Rev Neil Maclean and the Rev Andrew Fraser. The pipers at his committal were Willie Fraser, Graham Grant and Grant Cumming.

We have said farewell to another local worthy. JM

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