Durness author and fundraiser hopes fourth book will be delivered in time for tomorrow's Marty Mackay Memorial Fund Cycle and Ride
A Durness author and fundraiser is eagerly awaiting the delivery of her fourth book from the printers.
Mary Mackay is hoping to have copies of ‘A Collection of Highland Memories’ in time for tomorrow’s Marty Mackay Memorial Fund Sponsored Cycle/Walk 2025.
The fundraising event was set up in 2011 following the death of her son, Marty Mackay, in 2010 from kidney cancer, aged just 43.
The walk and cycle have been held each year since, except during the Covid pandemic in 2020.
It has to date raised a staggering £89,311 for cancer charities and other good causes in the north.
All the profits from Mary’s books also go to the fund.
Her first two books were about her childhood in Skerray and other stories.
In 2020 she put together a collection of songs, stories and memories about Marty, who loved practical jokes.
The reminiscences came from a wide range of people as well as the family and were all about remembering happy times with Marty, a local builder, firefighter, coastguard, musician and footballer.
It has taken her around three years to complete her latest book, which she describes as “light-hearted” and “humorous” and says she hopes will make people smile.
She said: “There are a variety of stories from all over Sutherland. People sharing their memories, just people talking about their childhood.
In the book, one Lairg resident remembers all the shops that used to be in the town.
Mary’s own husband, Martin, who worked on Balnakeil Farm, remembers when Balnakeil Craft Village was an early warning station for the Ministry of Defence.
There are also poems in the book.
As usual, tomorrow’s cycle ride will be from Lairg to Durness (62.5 miles) and the walk from Rhiconich to Durness (14.1 miles), both starting at 10am and finishing at the village hall.
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Soup and sandwiches will be available in Achfary until 2pm and refreshments will be available on the way.
At 5pm there will be a grand auction in the hall with a wide range of interesting items, followed by a raffle.
Mary said: “The organisers are grateful for the support shown over the years and look forward to welcoming old and new friends on the day.”
For more information about the ride or to purchase any of Mary’s books, email: mary@mackaycountry.com
