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Highland 'tablet fairy' makes £1.2k Malawi donation


By Caroline McMorran

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She has been dubbed the ‘tablet fairy’ because her skill at making the popular sweet treat is legendary.

But Mhairi Mackay, of Dornoch, went the extra mile recently when she spent hours in the kitchen producing batch after batch of mouthwatering tablet.

Mhairi Mackay (centre) with Reay MacGill (left) and, Chrisanne MacLeod Robertson.
Mhairi Mackay (centre) with Reay MacGill (left) and, Chrisanne MacLeod Robertson.

It was all in aid of a good cause close to her heart – she is a loyal supporter of the Highland Malawi Trust, which supports widows, orphans and vulnerable children around Mzuzu in the Northern region of Malawi.

The Trust, a registered charity, appealed for donations in November towards a winter feeding programme. It is the first time such an appeal has had to be made, and is as a result of Covid-19 badly affecting 2020 fundraising activities.

With a few days holiday to hand, Mhairi immediately decided to set to and make tablet to sell on behalf of the appeal.

No slouch in the kitchen, she works as a kitchen supervisor at Dornoch cafe Milk and Honey and has a background in the hospitality industry, having lectured at North Highland College and worked as a food officer for the Calman Trust amongst other roles.

When news got around about her tablet making activity, some £500 of orders immediately flooded in – but in the end she ratcheted up a staggering £1263. A cheque was handed over on December 15.

Reay MacGill, of Thurso, who founded Highland Malawi Trust in 2009 along with her friend Chrisanne MacLeod Robertson, said they had been “blown away” by the amount.

“Mhairi is the tablet fairy indeed!” she said. “What hours she must have spent, weighing, stirring, watching, waiting and then presenting it all so beautifully.

“What can we say – thank you’ does not seem adequate. We are amazed and oh so grateful.”

In total the appeal raised around £2736 with donations coming in from as far afield as Singapore.

Reay said: “People have donated in lieu of holidays not taken this year or Christmas cards not sent and for lots of other reasons but hopefully in the knowledge that every penny will reach the people it was intended for. We are humbled and emotional.”


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