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Gairloch High School teacher remembered for her ‘humble, loving and vibrant nature’





Cathma 'Katack' Thomson at her friend's 80th last year. Picture: Mali Thomson
Cathma 'Katack' Thomson at her friend's 80th last year. Picture: Mali Thomson

TRIBUTES have been given following the death of a much-loved former Gairloch High School teacher, who was known for her “humble, loving and vibrant” nature.

Cathma ‘Katack’ Thomson passed away earlier in January aged 80, and was best known locally for both her years as a business studies teacher at Gairloch High School from 1980 to 2003, and as a font of local knowledge, especially concerning crofting matters.

Her husband and daughter have shared part of their eulogies.

Kenny Thomson, Katack’s husband, said in his: “Katack was born in June, 1944, in South Erradale, Gairloch, to Mary Kate and Donald Mackenzie, a younger sister for Duncan. She spoke Gaelic until the age of 5, only learning English when she started school.

“She attended Opinan Primary School, where her mother had previously taught, and thereafter attended Dingwall Academy as a boarder, living in Tulloch Castle hostel with all the other West-coasters. While conditions there were spartan to say the least, close friendships forged there lasted her entire life.

“Katack attended Strathclyde University in Glasgow, and then Jordanhill teacher training college. Her first teaching post was at Kinning Park school in the south side of Glasgow, followed by a post at Waverley Secondary in Drumchapel.

Cathma 'Katack' Thomson at the opening of the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow on 1970, aged 26. Picture: Mali Thomson
Cathma 'Katack' Thomson at the opening of the Kingston Bridge in Glasgow on 1970, aged 26. Picture: Mali Thomson

“I first had the good fortune of meeting Katack in 1967 in Glasgow. In true teuchter style, we met at the Highlander’s Institute in the West End of Glasgow and became engaged in 1970. We moved back up north to take up jobs at Tain Royal Academy and Nigg oil fabrication yard. We were married in 1974, and shortly after, moved to the west coast, back to Katack’s home village of South Erradale, where we started our family. Our daughter Mali, was born in 1976 and our son Calum Donald in 1979.

“Katack was unique in her perceptions of other people, and she made me a better person. She was very humble, but very at ease with herself.

“Had I not met her, I doubt I would have married at all. I will miss her every moment, of every day, for the rest of my life.”

Katack’s daughter, Mali Thomson, said in her eulogy: “Katack was an amazing mother – she loved Donnie and I fiercely and had an incredibly close bond with her own mother, father and late brother. The way that she peppered her English with Gaelic was, I think, a way to remember them all.

“She was delighted when she became a grandmother. She was able to go on adventures with the older two, Annabelle and Alfie, and latterly, spending time with beautiful baby Kallie brought her great joy, as did three-year-old Zander with his mischievous energy. She was also very fond of Kristian, Donnie’s step-son with Yasmyn.

“She loved all her animals, especially her sheep. When she moved back to South Erradale and became established with her own croft, she started to build up a flock. For years, all the sheep had names, usually named after a friend, a neighbour, someone she’d just met, a celebrity or someone in the news.

“She loved the annual gathering of the sheep from the hill every year, the shearing, the dipping and days spent at the fank with all the other local crofters.

“She loved gardening and was very green-fingered. When she retired, she was an occasional volunteer guide in Inverewe Gardens, which she enjoyed immensely – it involved two of her favourite things – flowers and chattering.

“As evidenced by all the lovely tributes we have received, Katack was one of those rare souls who touched everyone she met, whether through her kindness, her quirky, and occasionally wicked sense of humour, or her love for the local area.

“I’d like to thank everyone who showed us love and support over the course of Katack’s illness. I also want to give special thanks to the local medical staff. The care given by the local Macmillan nurse Sally, and the local community nurses was exemplary – you are all angels. I’d also like to thank Roger, the out-of-hours medic who attended the house several times during Katack’s final hours, and helped ease her passing with grace and kindness.

“I will end by saying that it was a privilege to look after her, as she did us, and to have had her in our lives for so long.

“She wasn’t just our mother and wife – she was our best friend, and I don’t think any of us will ever see her like again."



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