COLLachs

During the past year we have lost a number of familiar faces: Katie Kennedy of Arinthluic; Peggie MacKinnon; Archibald MacLean; Donald Bremner, Angus Kennedy and Duncan MacKinnon. All were born and brought up on Coll and each has been laid to rest in the cemetery at Cill Ionnaig. The following pages are a small tribute to each of their lives

Archibald MacLean

The Island of Coll in general and the Free Church here in particular suffered a severe loss in the death of Mr Archibald MacLean, the congregation's only elder, at the age of 94.

Mr MacLean loved the Lord's house, and it was there, while engaging in prayer at a funeral service, that he suffered a seizure and passed away. Mr MacLean was born on Coll in 1900, the third of a family of six. During his early years he engaged in fishing and spent a year in the Royal Navy in 1918.

In 1924 he went to Glasgow where he spent over 25 years in the service of the City of Glasgow Police. Older readers will recall that during the 1930's some parts of Glasgow were troubled by razor gangs and it is well known that Mr MacLean, well over 6 feet tall and of strong physique, was involved in the difficult and dangerous situations of that period.

Mr MacLean was a God-fearing man who loved his Church and was faithful in observance of the Lord's Day. He became a communicant member of Duke Street Free Church, Glasgow during the ministry of Rev. Andrew Sutherland, and was elected to the Eldership there in 1950.

On his retiral and return to Coll later that year, he bought a boat and engaged in fishing for a good number of years. His main concern, however, was for the well-being of the Church.

He served the Coll congregation faithfully as Session Clerk, Deacon's Court Clerk and Treasurer until his death.

A native Gaelic speaker, he was not infrequently called upon to preach, and over many years he was active in giving pulpit supply on Coll, Ardnamurchan and in Tobermory. One member recalls that he preached in Tiree, although there was no Free Church there.

That he was loved and esteemed by all was shown by the large number who came from all over the island to his funeral on the 5th October.

Mr MacLean's life may be best summed up in the words of Job 1:1 "That man was perfect and upright, and one who feared God and eschewed evil."

We commit his only surviving sister, Mrs Katie Sproat, to the grace and comfort of the Lord.

Huite Sliep.
(I wish to acknowledge my indebtedness to Mr Donald Jack for his help in the prepartion of this obituary.)