It was with great sadness and deep regret that on Tuesday 15th April that we learned that James “Scottie” MacLean had passed away the previous night at Raigmore Hospital. Inverness. He had not been in the best of health for some time.

“Scottie” has lived in Strathpeffer and was involved in shinty for his whole life. He first played in Fodderty School and then for Caberfeidh Shinty Club at all levels during his long shinty career. He spent many years playing for the second team, mainly due to a hip injury giving him fitness difficulties. However, he did graduate to the first team, playing both outfield and for a period as goalkeeper. The highlight of his playing career was undoubtedly as a wing forward in the Caberfeidh team which won the MacGillivray Senior League Cup in 1963 when they beat Kingussie 2 – 0 at the Bught Park. After retiring from playing “Scottie” went on to become the Club’s trainer and eventually he managed the second team for a number of years, and was also a very active committee member. After retiring from work in the 1990s “Scottie” joined the late Huisdean MacDonald as a coach to the Fodderty School teams. “Scottie” took great pride that his three sons and grandson also all played for Caberfeidh.

“Scottie” had a varied working life. He served his time as a blacksmith with the late Jimmy Sinclair in Dingwall and over the years worked for Donnie MacLean, Road Contractors from Jamestown, Strathpeffer, the Hydro Board, Highlands Fabricators at Nigg, and latterly for the local council as Village Officer in Strathpeffer where he kept the village in pristine condition.

“Scottie” was also a very keen member of the Strathpeffer Highland Gathering Association where for many years he was responsible for organizing the Car Parking. He also served the Highland Gathering as Vice-Convenor for a period.

Our sympathy goes out to his wife Doreen and his four children, Anne, James, Martin and Raymond, his seven grandchildren, his four great-grandchildren, and his 2 great-great-grandchildren in their sad loss. As well as by his family “Scottie” will also be very much missed by his friends and colleagues in the Shinty Club, the Highland Gathering Association and by the Strathpeffer Community as whole.