Elizabeth "Betty" Mackay, Reay
There was a serenity about the dignified bearing of Betty MacKay. So much so, that the care staff in Sinclair Court, Portskerra, whom she adored for their care and compassion, often referred to her in regal terms.
That might suggest that Betty had some easy or privileged life but far from it. She lived a life of valuable service in a variety of posts, coupled with a lifelong interest in literature and the arts, and this all shaped and moulded her character and mien.
Elizabeth Barbara Mackay (Betty) was born in 1923, the eldest of a family of five – a sister Christine who died in her late teens and three brothers: John, Hugh and William, of whom only William now survives.
The family home still remains at No 1 The Crescent, Reay, enjoying a panoramic view over the local golf course and Sandside Bay.
The first residents of No 1, in the early 1920s, were Betty’s parents Hugh and Donaldina Mackay. Hugh was a builder to trade, following in the footsteps of his father John, who came to the area from Swordly, Bettyhill, to build the walls around the Shebster Church and manse.Betty attended the local primary school and Miller Academy in Thurso, where she learned shorthand and typing.
But opportunities for secretarial work in the 1930s were few and far between, so Betty joined the domestic staff at Achvarasdale House, then in the ownership of the Pilkington family, the glass manufacturers.
With the onset of the Second World War, an army camp was established at the entrance of what is now Reay golf course. Foundation slabs can still be seen there.
This proved very fortuitous for Betty, who literally lived “next door”, and thanks to her shorthand and typing skills she was employed in the camp office.
The camp was then taken over by the REME as a maintenance depot. With this change Betty’s role was expanded and she travelled on REME business to their depots in Strathpeffer, Dingwall and Perth.
Betty then joined the staff of the prisoner of war camp at Watten. She enjoyed telling of the occasion when guards travelled to Inverness to escort a group of POWs to Watten.
The group safely arrived back in Watten, but it was almost a case of the POWs escorting the guards as the latter had spent a lot of time in the company of John Barleycorn!
Betty’s final army service was in the office of the Transit Camp established on the coast below Pennyland, Thurso. Originally built for servicemen in transit to and from Orkney it was taken over by the local council after the war as temporary housing in advance of the completion of post-war council housing.
At this point Betty decided to return to civilian life and joined Sinclair MacDonald, an established architectural practice in Thurso.
She served this practice with great commitment and dedication, only retiring when she was well into her 70s. These principles also applied to her love of the home.
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Betty looked after both her parents and helped nurse them in their latter years, greatly helped by her brother William.
No 1 The Crescent was a very happy home and one that oozed a broad sweep of interest – be it local history, the arts and literature, or the great affairs of state.
The written word was important to Betty, especially poetry, including the many poems composed by her brother William. Her favourite work was “The Traveller”, by Walter de la Mare, a mystical poem designed to make you think. She also played golf and badminton and enjoyed walks on Sandside beach.
She took Gaelic lessons for two years, and while never quite mastering the nuances of the language, it helped her develop a great love of its music and lore.
Given their interest in the arts, it was no surprise that during the early-50s, along with a few other enthusiasts, Betty and William were instrumental in starting a drama club in Reay. Their first effort was “Shetland Yarn”.
It was the start of a very successful club that played no little part in the great upsurge of interest in amateur dramatics in Caithness during the next 30 years.
None was more enthusiastic than Betty. If she was not producing the play she was acting in it, and on more than one occasion she did both.
Her finest moment was playing the part of the charlady, Mrs Sarah Dowey in the play “The Old Lady Shows Her Medals”, by J M Barrie.
The adjudicator at Caithness Drama Festival that year was a well-known Scottish broadcaster. He said Mrs Dowey’s final exit displayed such a deep sense of feeling and emotion, and a great sense of pathos, that it brought a tear to his eye.
For a person who gave much love and kindness to her family and served her community over a number of years, it was very fitting and deserving that Betty was able to travel to Canada on two occasions to visit relatives in Alberta, and to travel in the Rockies – events she recalled with great delight.
After a period of indifferent health and hospitalisation, Betty took up residence at Sinclair Court in Portskerra some four years ago.
Two years ago she celebrated her 90th birthday there, surrounded by relatives, friends and care staff, who provided a wonderful buffet. Betty was in her element, chatting, reminiscing and generally showing her interest in humanity – the hallmark of her long and dedicated life.
Sadly the last few weeks saw a gradual deterioration in her health and she passed away in Sinclair Court.
Betty was buried in Reay Cemetery following a moving graveside service conducted by the Rev Heather Stewart.
Her brother William’s poem, “Autumn Crocus”, was a great favourite. This is the last verse:
As fading flowers bring fragrance to the days of late September
So the flowers of reflection can bring solace to the mind
But there’s still a wistful longing for the vivid blooms of summer
And the fallen-petal memories of the friends we left behind.
AGF.
