Hundreds of mourners attend funeral of Alexander Sutherland, Lord Strathnaver who 'was full of love for his family, friends and his home'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
An estimated 500 or so mourners attended the funeral today of Alexander Sutherland, Lord Strathnaver.
The outdoor service, conducted by Rev Simon Scott, priest in charge at St Finnbarr’s Episcopal Church, Dornoch, was held on the esplanade at Dunrobin Castle.
Seating had been set up for family and friends at the main entrance to the castle, where the coffin also stood.
The service was paused only minutes after it started when one of the seated mourners apparently collapsed. But it restarted shortly afterwards.
Lord Strathnaver tragically died on September 4 aged 40 – his body was found at the bottom of 30ft cliffs at Thurso East.
Rev Simon Scott said Alexander was a “man full of zeal and a love of life. He loved his family dearly and his girlfriend Jen so very much.”
He recalled how as a young child, Alexander had attended Golspie Primary School and the “great” friends he made there had remained with him throughout his life.
RELATED: Shock as Lord Strathnaver found dead after cliff fall in far north
“He spent many a happy time dressing up for Golspie Gala Week or on various projects, or sharing a drink in the pub on Friday night,” said Rev Scott.
He spoke of how Alexander liked to be know as just ‘Al’ and said that calling him by his title would “most likely have made him cringe".
Rev Scott continued: “He was known and loved by many here in Golspie, further in Sutherland and beyond.
Alexander had a passion for animals, caring as a child for two ferrets.
He also had a passion for surfing and attended the University of Plymouth Bachelor of Science (BSc) course on surf science, studying for a year in Australia.
"Surfing continued to be a favourite sport through his life and he became an ambassador for the sport," said Rev Scott.
"It was through surfing that he met his girlfriend Jen and they also shared a common interest in Jiu Jitsu.
But despite his travels throughout the world - including surfing in Cornwall, trekking in Nepal and sailing in Tobago - the call of home was strong and lately he was renovating his house in Thurso East - "a new home he was creating on the north coast".
Rev Scott said Alexander's father, Alistair Sutherland, the 25th Earl of Sutherland, had described him as a "man of vision" with a cheerful outlook on life, huge energy and enthusiasm. He was always looking for the "next thing".
His family were particularly proud of how he had been involved in decisions that had moved the estate forward.
"All was a great planner and a great doer," said Rev Scott. "He set up several small businesses including converting vans to campervans."
He continued: "Al was a man of great compassion who wanted to help others. He was full of love for his family, friends and his home."
Following the service, the coffin was placed in a hearse and driven to the nearby Sutherland family cemetery located in an peaceful spot in the grounds of the castle and overlooking the sea.
Mourners fell in behind the cortege and forming a long line, followed it to the cemetery.
