Highly respected Badenoch farmer was a 'true gent'
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Tributes have been paid to a well-known and respected Badenoch farmer whose funeral will take place this Monday.
Ian Brodie MacGillivray, was for many decades the farm manager at Cluny Mains Farm at Laggan.
Mr MacGillivray, of The Bungalow, Pitmain, Kingussie, passed away at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness on Saturday, December 30 at the age of 90.
His funeral service will be held at Kingussie Parish Church at noon.
Then Mr MacGillivray will be laid to rest in the churchyard.
Born at Main Farm, the son of Mr and Mrs Donald MacGillivray, he attended Kingussie Primary School and Secondary School before going on to Aberdeen University where he gained his BSc in agriculture.
Mr MacGillivray gained a good range of farming experience in different parts of Scotland before having to carry out his National Service.
After his spell with the military, he was appointed farm manager at Cluny Mains Farm at Laggan.
After more than 40 years in the role for owner Captain Lindsay, Mr MacGillivray retired to Balgowan, Laggan, and only moved back close to his birth place in Kingussie a couple of years ago for health reasons.
He was well looked after by his wife Joey, the eldest daughter of Dr and Mrs MacKay, of Laggan, and their daughter Elspeth and son Donald.
Mr MacGillivray was a well-known member of the Laggan community and a church elder.
In his younger days, he played shinty both for Kingussie and for Aberdeen University.
Mr MacGillivray was also secretary and treasurer of the Laggan Hall committee, secretary of Laggan Community Trading and a member of the Laggan sheepdog trials committee.
He enjoyed playing the bagpipes and Scottish music in general. Tributes have been paid online to Mr MacGillivray.
Angela Ross posted: “Fond memories of spending time at Auchmore and at Cluny at gatherings, clippings, hay, probably my last time at tattie pickings, and being spoilt by getting to raid the always fantastic home baking by Joey when visiting.”
Many of those paying tribute described Mr MacGillivray as a ‘true gent’. All friends are respectfully invited to attend the funeral service in the Badenoch capital which is to be conducted by Rev Robert Brookes. Donations, if desired, may be given to benefit Alzheimer Scotland.
