Tommy MacKenzie, Portree | |
12 March 2018 There was great sadness around Skye Camanachd on Friday 9 March 2018 when we learnt of the passing of Skye Camanachd Vice-President Tommy MacKenzie. Born in 1947, Tommy became one of Portree’s real characters and his association with Skye Camanachd stretches back many years. His father Jonacks MacKenzie was part of Skye’s 1950 Sutherland Cup winning team where he formed a formidable forward-line partnership with his great friend Billy MacKinnon. One of the highlights of the Skye Camanachd Annual Sale of Works in the Skye Gathering Hall during the 1980s and 1990s was the raffle for a framed copy of one of Tommy’s famous Skye Original Prints. It regularly raised around £300; no mean sum in these days. His artistic talent shone through in the prints and very few houses on Skye, and indeed beyond, didn’t have at least one of his etchings on their walls whilst no wedding list was complete without one. Tommy was a regular at Skye Camanachd games and was proud to watch son John MacKenzie play for the team. He was a committee member for a period of time and could always be relied on when his help was needed. Tommy will also always be synonymous with the Isle of Skye Highland Games where he was Chieftain. He worked tirelessly to organise and run this annual event which attracted visitors from all over the world. The tug of war was always a particular favourite of Tommy’s whilst there were many other interests over the years including the Tattie Pickers, the Isle of Skye Half Marathon, the Herald crossword, part-time food critic and many more besides. There was a minute’s silence ahead of both Skye Camanachd fixtures last weekend. The club considered requesting postponements but decided that Tommy would not have wanted that. The sympathies of everyone at Skye Camanachd are extended to Tommy’s sons John and Roddy and the extended family. Tommy’s funeral takes place at 2pm at the Church of Scotland, Portree on Tuesday 13 March 2018. |