Children from primary school attended by former Liberal Democrat leader sing at mass near Fort William

This article is more than 5 years old

This article is more than 5 years old

Family, friends and political colleagues have gathered in the small Highlands village of Caol, near Fort William, for the funeral of Charles Kennedy.

The former Liberal Democrat leader died at his home in Fort William last week at the age of 55 after suffering a major haemorrhage caused by alcoholism.



Nick Clegg and Danny Alexander were among those paying their last respects at St John the Evangelist Roman Catholic church, where 14 children from St Columba’s primary school, which Kennedy attended as a child, will sing a psalm.



Kennedy’s ex-wife, Sarah Gurling, and their son, Donald, arrived at around 11.40am as a string ensemble played tunes including The Skye Boat Song.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest The hearse carrying the coffin of former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy passes St John’s Roman Catholic Church with a backdrop of Ben Nevis. Photograph: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

Former prime minister Gordon Brown, Scottish Labour leader Jim Murphy and Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie also made their way inside the church. Kennedy’s partner, Carole MacDonald, arrived at the church at around 11am.

Fellow senior Lib Dems, including former MPs Sir Menzies Campbell, Sir Malcolm Bruce and Michael Moore, along with Scotland’s deputy first minister, John Swinney, have also arrived.

Former spin doctor and close friend, Alastair Campbell, who previously described Kennedy as a “lovely man” and “highly talented politician”, was among the mourners.

A steady stream of local residents also began arriving from 11am to say farewell to the former Ross, Skye and Lochaber MP. The service will be followed by a private burial at Clunes, Achnacarry.

Outside the church, a floral tribute of white roses from prime minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha carried the message: “The country has lost an extraordinary talent whose character and courage inspired us all.

Facebook Twitter Pinterest Flowers from Prime Minister David Cameron and his wife Samantha Photograph: Getty Images

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Donald and all Charles’s friends at this incredibly sad time.”

The politician’s death, three weeks after he lost the parliamentary seat that he had held for 32 years, stunned the political establishment.

Candy Piercy, a close friend and adviser who worked with Kennedy on his final election campaign, said she expected the voters of Fort William to turn out in force for the service.

Monsignor James MacNeil said the requiem mass would be a “deep moment for the family and for the community in which Charles worshipped – an expression of our faith”.

He said he always remembered his encounters with Kennedy, who regularly attended St John’s, and the local community felt a sense of solidarity in grieving over his loss.

“He was their brother,” he said. “I wonder how Charles Kennedy will be remembered. Will he be remembered as the honest politician he was, the man who behaved with integrity?

“Or, I’m inclined to think, don’t underestimate the authority of the person who suffers, the command he has, the respect and the compassion and the strength he gives to others. That’s the way I think I will remember him, as the big human being who trusted God.”