Her hospitality made her many friends. The village shop was for many years annexed to the hotel, also attracting people from all the surrounding areas.
Dottie was the hub of the Durness community, a friend to all with a very down-to- earth approach. She was always considerate of others and treated the village children as though they were her own grandchildren. She worked quietly and diligently, especially during hard and difficult times, lending support to many. She was deeply involved with church activities, loved company and was a very sociable person. As a past chieftain and ardent supporter of the Durness Games, she was a well-known and popular local personality. She was a lady that was able to personify what being human was all about. In a simple and enduring manner she brought wisdom and sense to many a controversial and confusing issue. She welcomed many incomers to the community and never pre judged. There are few people that come to the village without encountering the kindness and motherly friendship Dottie bestowed.


Her good sense and sound judgment resulted in her being chosen by the Ministry of Defence as one of three local “trusted agents” able to pull the plug on military exercises being carried out in the Cape Wrath area if noise and disturbance are believed to be intolerable. Not many people could claim to have their influence compare to the President of the United States but Dottie had been able to share this. Unfortunately the President never asked Dottie for council but she would have brought insight and good judgement to affairs of the world

Young and old alike knew her in her community and dealing with people was natural. She was known world wide in her role in the Clan Mackay and visited American highland games as guest of honour. After the death of her husband Dickie, a mover in revitalising the Durness Games in 1971, she never missed the occasion in Durness. Whenever the Clan Mackay Society, with members from all over the world, made a tour of Mackay Country in Sutherland, Dottie was always there in the forefront of the welcome they received in the north. She was well travelled and loved to experience the cultures of the world but stories would filter back to her village of her good humour and highland influence on her jaunts. Many an amusing tale can be told of her worldly encounters. Although she had nearly circled the globe east and west she had never visited Cape Wrath and often joked about this- what many do from around the world to reach Europe’s most northwesterly point right on her doorstep!

Dottie had a personality that was incomparable and an ability to see life in a serious and humorous state simultaneously. She was genuinely interested in the ways and methods of the young never disrespectful at a modern approach although she was a lover of heritage and traditions. She was a modern day bard and although reticent she had a great ability to describe a community to-do in humorous verse but only gave the occasional recital when she summed up many concerns in a poem.

Dottie was the last survivor of her siblings – a sister and two brothers – and is survived by her son, Robbie. The loss of Dottie is a great blow to the community and all those who knew and loved her, and sincere and heartfelt condolences are extended to Robbie and his wife, Fiona, and Dottie’s sister-in-law, Dorothy Fraser.

The funeral service took place on Friday at 12 noon at a packed to capacity church of Scotland and thereafter at the internment in the old Balnakeil cemetery. She would not have wanted us to mourn but to reflect on her life, learn from her character, her endeavour and her achievements, and try to follow her example where we can.

Dottie Mackay

Dottie dint break any records or seek to be eminent but she will be missed by many. Her character was compelling and her unique ability to ensure any discussions were wisely concluded gave her an air of authority that only a layperson could command was exceptional. Not many people could claim to have their influence compared to the president of the united states but Dottie had been able to share this. Unfortunately the President never asked Dottie for council but she would have brought insight and good judgement to affairs of the world without egos and personality interfering.

She was a lady that was able to personify what being human was all about. In a simple and enduring manner she brought wisdom and sense to many a controversial and confusing issue. She welcomed many incomers to the community and never pre judged. There are few people that come to the village without encountering the kindness and motherly friendship Dottie bestowed.

Dottie was widowed in. Robbie her only son was married to Fiona in 1999 and she was very proud of running one of the village shops and Parkhill Hotel. what Robbie and Fiona were doing with the family business. She treated her illness as she treated life all part of living, never complaining and always positive. She was always central in the community

Young and old alike knew her in her community and dealing with people was natural. She was known world wide in her role in the clan Mackay and visited American highland games as guest of honour. After the death of her husband Dikkie, a mover in revitalising the Durness Games in 1971, she never missed the occasion in Durness.

A personality that was incomparable and able to see life in a serious and humorous satae simultaneously. She was a modern day bard and although reticent in her ability to describe a community to-do in humorous verse was committed to the occasional recital she summed up many concerns in a poem.
 

DOTTIE MACKAY


It was with great sadness that the people of Durness and much further a field learned of the death of Dottie Mackay. Dottie died peacefully at home on Monday morning age 75. Dottie was a native of Melvich and came to Durness as a young woman to work at the Cape Wrath Hotel. After a period of employment at Dounreay she returned to Durness as the late Dickie MacKay’s wife and for many years ran the Parkhill Hotel as a very successful and popular family establishment. She had return visitors from all over the world to her Highland hotel. The village shop was for many years annexed to the hotel bringing people from all around the area.
Dottie was the hub of the Durness community, a friend to all with a very down to earth approach. She was always considerate of others and treated the village children as that of a grandmother. She worked quietly and diligently especially during hard and difficultly times lending support to many. She was deeply involved with church activities, loved company and was a very social person. As a past chieftain and ardent supporter of the Durness Games she was a well-known and popular person. Dottie was the last survivor of her siblings a sister and two brothers and is survived by her son Robbie. The loss of Dottie is a great blow to the community and all those who new and loved her and sincere and heartfelt condolences are extended to Robbie his wife Fiona and Dottie’s sister in law Dorothy Fraser.