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Poignant tribute to Caberfeidh Shinty Club legend in Ross-shire as players past and present pay respects


By Hector MacKenzie

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Allan MacDonald
Allan MacDonald

TRIBUTES were paid to a Caberfeidh Shinty Club legend who served as a player, committee member and groundsman, and was still attending games at Castle Leod until last year’s lockdown.

Club members paid a poignant roadside tribute to Allan MacDonald, who was 93.

Senior player Ali MacLennan played Caberfeidh on the pipes as the cortege passed Castle Leod. Players past and present held camans aloft in a dignified tribute ahead of a funeral held under current restrictions at Fodderty.

Mr MacDonald had been the oldest former player of the club and played in the first match after the World War II when Oban Celtic were the opponents.

He was born at The Smiddy, Blairninnich, Strathpeffer on December 26, 1927. His father, also Allan, had been the local blacksmith. In his early working life Allan junior had been employed by the Board of Agriculture and worked for them throughout the war. He then worked as a lorry driver before being employed, initially, by the Roads Department of Ross and Cromarty County Council and then the Highland Regional Council, ending up as the local roads foreman.

Outwith his work, he was a keen fisherman and a member of the Loch Achonachie Angling Club. He had also been a long-time member of the Strathpeffer Highland Gathering Association and spent many years as a judge of the heavy events, as did his father before him. For his services to the gathering, he had been made an honorary Life member.

He first played for Caberfeidh when it started up again after the war in 1946 and was involved in the friendly matches.

Allan was part of the Caberfeidh team which won the Harrow Cup in 1947.
Allan was part of the Caberfeidh team which won the Harrow Cup in 1947.

He continued to play until the mid to late 1950s. After he retired from work he spent many years attending to the shinty pitch at Castle Leod, doing the grass cutting and lining.

He was proud to see his grandson, Jonathon, play for the club. His nephews Rod and Iain (Tumba) and his great nephews, Allan, Brian (Denzil) and Iain also played.

Mr MacDonald, who was pre-deceased by his wife Anna some years ago, will be very much missed in the community. He is survived by son Angus, daughter-in-law Margaret-Ann and grandsons, Daniel and Jonathon.


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