Portree Harbour

A loooong day today!

Picked A up in Larbert at 7am which meant a 5:15am start for me. Arrived in Portree on the Isle of Skye at 12 noon so a 6 hour drive which included a quick breakfast stop in Fort William.

Parked up and went to a local pub in Portree Square to wait for local friend D. A decided to start early with a couple of pints. I was on coffee.

Once D arrived we headed to the church which was just across the square.

Really felt for JC. He didn’t know we were coming and as he saw us approaching you could see him fight the emotion. Such a sad day for him and his large extended family.

The funeral itself was a first for me. It was a Free Presbyterian Service. I have to say, not being a religious guy, I found it very heavy.

After the service it was down to the cemetery for the burial. Once that was complete we got a chance to speak to JC and family properly.

Once dispersed, A and I went for another drink down on the pier as we did to want to arrive at the wake too early.

Once there though we sat with all the family including JC, his mum, wife, sister and others.

They shared stories, drunk many large whiskies whilst I was honoured to share this day with them. I didn’t know JCs family other than wife and son but they did their father proud.

A got, shall we say rather intoxicated or as we say pi**ed as a fart.

It was after 8pm I managed to get him into the car as he could hardly walk.

He slept the 5 hours drive back to Larbert then I got home for close to 2am.

Long day but JC senior got such a lovely send off. He was a much loved character.