Moving and amusing tributes at funeral of hero lifeboatman
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RNLI colleagues formed a guard of honour while two lifeboats stood offshore as the life of volunteer Stan MacRae was celebrated in the North Kessock station that he served for so long and so well.
And later at the Kilvean Cemetery in Inverness, a Coastguard helicopter dipped in salute overhead as his coffin was laid to rest today (Tuesday) watched by around 200 mourners.
Members of the Coastguard also turned out in force along with many family and friends and representatives from the emergency services for the funeral of 57-year-old Mr MacRae where celebrant Halde Pottinger led the service in the North Kessock lifeboat station.
Nearby and ready for action were the North Kessock lifeboat and launch tractor Mr MacRae so lovingly maintained.
North Kessock crewman Douglas Munro told the gathering just how dedicated Mr MacRae was to the RNLI before his unexpected death on Valentine's Day in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness.
During his 26 years service he chalked up 407 total launches, 311 incident launches, aided 181 people at sea, and saved 20 lives. He also put in 1,218 exercise hours.
One of his most dramatic and determined rescues was when a woman went into the River Ness on a bitterly cold winter night. Mr MacRae, tethered to a crewman, went into the water and grabbed hold of the woman, who proceeded to fight him off.
Undaunted Mr MacRae swam ashore and ran downstream after the woman, before swimming out to her again. This attempt was also unsuccessful, but yet again he swam ashore and again chased the drifting woman who was by now at the Friar's Bridge
This time he managed to get her into a life-ring and she was hauled ashore and revived.
One of the most moving moments at the funeral was when Mr MacRae's daughter Gemma was presented with the helmet her dad wore when out on the sea and an RNLI flag, watched by members of his family including partner Valerie.
Then as the hearse slowly made its way through the village of North Kessock, the two lifeboats, formed a seabourne escort led by the Agnes AP Barr from Invergordon with crews standing to attention on deck.
Earlier there was laughter as Johnda Byrne told of his adventures with Mr MacRae while they were creel fishing out of Plockton, where Mr MacRae spent his formative years. Perhaps indicating his lifesaving years to come, he ran the safety boat for the local sailing club and was club commodore in 2012.
And golfing buddy Kenny McDonald told as well as being golf daft, Mr MacRae was also a keen skier and motor sports enthusiast.
"He was one of a kind," said Mr McDonald.
