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PICTURES: Elizabeth Costin, daughter of Earl of Sutherland, switches on Golspie festive lights and opens newly refurbished play park in busy day for community


By Caroline McMorran

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It was a busy day for Golspie last Saturday with not one but two community events.

The village's newly refurbished King George V play park was officially opened, and afterwards the Christmas lights were switched on.

Elizabeth Costin, the daughter of the Earl of Sutherland and a local resident, performed both ceremonies.

Elizabeth Costin, the daughter of the Earl of Sutherland, switched on the Golspie lights. A new light this year is in the shape of a surf board, in tribute to Mrs Costin’s brother, the late Alexander Sutherland, Lord Strathnaver. Pictures: Alan Butcher
Elizabeth Costin, the daughter of the Earl of Sutherland, switched on the Golspie lights. A new light this year is in the shape of a surf board, in tribute to Mrs Costin’s brother, the late Alexander Sutherland, Lord Strathnaver. Pictures: Alan Butcher
Elizabeth Costin cuts a ribbon to officially open the refurbished play park. Picture: Alan Butcher
Elizabeth Costin cuts a ribbon to officially open the refurbished play park. Picture: Alan Butcher

The switch-on was a poignant event for Mrs Costin as a new light has been installed in tribute to her brother, the late Alexander Sutherland, Lord Strathnaver, who died in September as a result of an accident.

In the shape of a surf board - surfing was one of his greatest passions - the new light has been erected at the entrance to Duke Street.

The idea for the new light came from Alison Sutherland of Brora, and it was fabricated by John Ducan, also Brora.

Ms Sutherland said she was delighted to see her idea come to fruition.

A sub group of Go Golspie was behind fundraising for new equipment at the play park. More than £30,000 was raised with grants from the Anne Duchess of Westminster Fund and others as well as local fundraising.

Some of the lights team, Dean Ross, John MacDonald, Martin Ross, Willie Mackintosh and Brian Bonner. Picture: Alan Butcher
Some of the lights team, Dean Ross, John MacDonald, Martin Ross, Willie Mackintosh and Brian Bonner. Picture: Alan Butcher
Georgie Maclennan. Picture: Alan Butcher
Georgie Maclennan. Picture: Alan Butcher
Amy Mackay and Fiona Thorpe got into the Christmas spirit, donning Santa hats. Picture: Alan Butcher
Amy Mackay and Fiona Thorpe got into the Christmas spirit, donning Santa hats. Picture: Alan Butcher
Hard-working volunteers, from left, Dona Bruce, Eilidh Jones, Sophie Stewart, Lorraine Mackay, Maisie Macleod, Myra Mackay, Alfie Mackay and Dylan Mackay.
Hard-working volunteers, from left, Dona Bruce, Eilidh Jones, Sophie Stewart, Lorraine Mackay, Maisie Macleod, Myra Mackay, Alfie Mackay and Dylan Mackay.
Santa rolled into the village with a squad of elves. Picture: Alan Butcher
Santa rolled into the village with a squad of elves. Picture: Alan Butcher
Golspie Community Council chairman Ian Sutherland with his wife Jacquie (right) and sister Susan Grant. Picture: Alan Butcher
Golspie Community Council chairman Ian Sutherland with his wife Jacquie (right) and sister Susan Grant. Picture: Alan Butcher
There was a good turnout at both events. Picture: Alan Butcher
There was a good turnout at both events. Picture: Alan Butcher
Youngsters were quick to test out the new play equipment. Picture: Alan Butcher
Youngsters were quick to test out the new play equipment. Picture: Alan Butcher
Development group Go Golspie formed a sub group to fundraise for new play park equipment. Picture: Alan Butcher
Development group Go Golspie formed a sub group to fundraise for new play park equipment. Picture: Alan Butcher

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