PICTURES: Lairg celebrates the Platinum Jubilee with health walk, afternon tea and loch-side torch ceremony
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Lairg began its celebrations to mark the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee with a special jubilee health walk around the Ferrycroft woods on Thursday afternoon, writes Kirstin Langlois, project officer, Lairg and District Community Initiatives.
After the walk the group made its way to the new community shelter at Church Hill Woods to meet up with others and share a jubilee picnic.
It was warm and sunny, so it was a great opportunity for everyone to get together and “toast” the Queen’s 70 years of service over a cuppa and some delicious sandwiches.
Members of the community also kindly donated "Beacon Jubilee Tarts" and cakes.
A number of tourists and cyclists who stopped off, were invited to join in the celebration.
People gathered at Ferrycroft Jetty at 9.45pm that evening to listen to piper Iain Mackay play, and processional torches were lit to join in with the Queen lighting the jubilee beacon – more than 3500 beacons were lit around the world.
Sheila Stewart, deputy lieutenant for Sutherland, welcomed those who had come along, and although everybody was eaten alive by midges, Lairg did join in the country’s celebration of lights!
Mrs Stewart said: “Her Majesty the Queen is the first British monarch to celebrate a Platinum Jubilee after 70 years of service, and I felt it was important that our community shared in the celebrations and marked a moment in history."
She added that she had been fascinated to talk to Willie Mackay MBE, who recalled Coronation Day and enjoying the pipe band marching down Main Street. He also remembered playing in a 5-side football match afterwards.
"It would be great to put together many more memories from those who, like Willie, remember clearly how they celebrated all those years ago," said Mrs Stewart.
She went on to thank all those who had helped organise events and supported them, as well as piper Iain Mackay and torchbearers
Morag Macdonald, Catrina Cameron, Kaye Hurrion, Willie Mackay as well as Sara McLeod and Dani Rutter Johnstone.
