Uist well represented at King’s garden party
The King and Queen’s Royal Garden Party took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh at the start of July. The Princess Royal supported the Royal couple in their duties, hosting 6000 invited guests from communities across Scotland.
Representing Uist at the event were Deputy Lieutenant Angus MacIntyre and his wife Marybell, Sergeant Major Ian Moar from 1st Battalion The Highladers Army Cadet Force and his wife Rosie, Tracy Walker and her daughter Tracy Muir and Eilidh Carr and her Aunt Julie Smith. The Uist contingent had been invited to honour the positive impact they had made in their community.
Hebridean-style heavy rain made for a soggy affair but didn’t dampen spirits: ‘we were wet and cold, but the people-watching was great fun and the sandwiches and scones were delicious!’
Eilidh, who spoke with the King, reported: “Meeting and chatting to the King all happened by both accident and luck, standing in the wrong place at the right time. The King and Queen exited the Palace and came down the stairs to join the crowds. As the crowds gathered, we were looking out for a glimpse of the King and within minutes, he was standing in front of me shaking my hand! It was so unexpected that my first words were ‘I’m from Berneray!’. He spoke of the Berneray potatoes being the best he had ever tasted and asked if we still used seaweed for growing them. He asked if I still lived on the island, I told him I did and I had my own business Coralbox. There was other chat about the causeway opening, Gloria and Berneray in general. We had to have tea and cake to calm down!”
The following day, a National Service of Thanksgiving and Dedication was held in St Giles Cathedral. Attending the solemn occasion was Berneray resident Gloria MacKillop, who many years ago hosted the King during his time on Berneray. Gloria was accompanied by Alasdair Humphery, a nephew of Gloria’s late husband, Donald Alex ‘Splash’ MacKillop. Gloria is pictured with Alasdair, flanked by Comhairle Convener Cllr Kenny Macleod, Lewis, and Lord-Lieutenant Iain Macaulay, North Uist/Lewis.
