'We had nothing, but we had everything': Interest high in local historian's book on Brora stalwart, the late George MacBeath
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He lived in the same Sutherland crofting community all his life and was from a generation for whom contentment did not mean the amassing of material goods.
And there was an outpouring of grief when crofter and former school janitor George MacBeath, Doll, Brora, died in May this year.
Now his friend of 25 years, Nick Lindsay, a historian and chairman of Clyne Heritage Society, has written a book featuring George’s memories of growing up on his family croft – gleaned from long conversations with him.
Aptly titled 'We Had Nothing, but We Had everything', the 188-page book is packed with anecdotes, tales and nostalgic photographs.
Mr Lindsay said writing the book had been a “labour of love”. He is pleased that Mr MacBeath was able to see a printed version just weeks before he died.
He said: “This new publication charts George’s life story in Doll, its history, culture and comradeship and his repertoire of amusing anecdotes about its characters and the bygone life there over over his 87 years. I hope he would have been proud, but he would still be asking the question: 'Why are people interested in me?' This book stands testimony to why. People will love it.”
George, the second child of five, always looked back on his life growing up at the Doll as “wonderful” with simple pleasures – wholesome food, hard work and laughs. He and his friends lived off a diet of Doll characters, who George always described as "their entertainment".
The book, which has its own Facebook page, is on sale, priced £10 from local outlets.
Social media awash with tributes after death of Brora stalwart