MORE than 50 people gathered at Staffin's two war memorials on Sunday to remember the ultimate sacrifice made by local people
Around 20 people, young and old, gathered at Culnacnoc for the service led by Donald Macdonald, Glasphein. A wreath was laid by Janet Lamont, Valtos, and the names of the fallen were read out by Angus Ross, Ellishadder before a two minute silence.
The war memorial was built in front of the old Valtos School, which was later demolished, in memory of the seven former pupils who died in the First World War.
The second service at the Staffin War Memorial by the Kilmartin River at 3pm was again led by Donald, with wreaths laid by Ruairidh MacLeod, Clachan and Ewen MacLeod, Garafad. The memorial is the only one in Skye and Lochalsh which has the names of men who died during the Boer War 1899 to 1902, as well as the First and Second World Wars.
A key feature of the Staffin services sees the names of all the soldiers and seamen listed on the memorial being read out in English. Their sloinneadh - what they were actually known and identified as locally in Staffin - in Gaelic, then follows. Many of those present at the services have relatives listed on the memorials.
The names of nine US airmen killed in a crash on Staffin's highest summit at Bein Edra in 1945 were also read out, with the crew all inscribed on the memorial.
Donald also mentioned the recent loss of Murdo Beaton, Struan, who was an authority and rich source of knowledge, which he passed on to younger generations, of the contribution of Skye people in the world
Thanks to Lachie Gillies, Galsphein and George Doig, Glebe, for their recent repair work to the Staffin war memorial fence and gate.