Waiting for the birth

By Moira Browes (nee Henderson)

I read the piece on Doctor Ferguson of Lochcarron with great interest. My Great Grandfather was Dr Charles Gordon Mackay of Lochcarron - he was the doctor here for 50 years I believe. He had studied at Glasgow and had been dresser to Lister, and my Grandmother Adine Henderson was born in Lochcarron.

When I was small in the 1950s and 60s, my Grandmother had returned to live in Lochcarron when she was widowed, and lived at Slumbay. Her sister, my aunt Anella still lived in Lochcarron, and my Uncle Alastair an artist, lived in Plockton.

My Great Grandfather had also been a very accomplished artist. When I was quite young I remember being fascinated by a story told to me. When he was called to attend a birth, often travelling on horseback, if there was likely to be a long wait he would take his paints with him and spend the time painting. My aunt still has a few of his paintings.