USA Report Funeral of Chief John MacLeod of MacLeod

February 12, 2007 Chief John Died

Our beloved Chief John MacLeod died at age 71. Chief John MacLeod of MacLeod, the 29th Chief of Clan MacLeod, was suffering from leukemia and a lung infection in a London hospital. He died February 12, 2007 in the evening. He was comforted by his wife and family and was surrounded by love and affection to the end. He is survived by his wife, Ulrika, and two sons and a daughter, including his heir, Hugh. For more than thirty years, Chief John lead the Clan and looked after Dunvegan Castle, his family's stronghold for 800 years.

February 22, 2007 Chief John Returns to Skye

Chief Johns' body was returned from London to Dunvegan Castle, Isle of Skye where preparations were being made for his funeral. Clan MacLeod USA President, Bill C. MacLeod  arrived at Dunvegan and gave John Lambert (Estate Manager) various letters of condolences that had been received from Clan members and friends from the USA. We thank all clan members for their thoughtfulness. Flower arrangements were made for the visitation hours at Dunvegan Castle on behalf of the members of Clan MacLeod USA Society. John Norman MacLeod (Great Lakes regional Vice-President) ordered flowers for the Lonemore Free Church by Dunvegan on behalf of our members.

February 23, 2007 Visitation

Visitation hours were on the afternoon of  Friday, Feb 23 in the castle where friends and family were able to pay their respects to Chief John. Welcoming the mourners were Chief Johns' son Hugh, son Stephan, daughter Elena and wife Ulrika and their families. There were refreshments and beverages in the dining room area and it was quite pleasant.  Dorna Caskie, Dr. Alex McLeod and Bill C. MacLeod represented Clan MacLeod USA at the visitation.  Chief John was privately viewed in the library with the Fairy Flag displayed.  The family was very gracious and hospitable to all.

February 24, 2007 Funeral Service

The casket was then moved to the Lonemore Free Church on Saturday morning. The Church was about one mile south of the Dunvegan village where over 400 family and clansfolk assembled for the 11:00 am service. The service was conducted by Reverend Daniel Sladek, Reverend Rory MacLeod (Norman's Suardal son) and Reverend Murdo MacLeod and Patrick Adam Wolridge Gordon gave the eulogy.  The service and eulogy were excellent and will be very memorable to all in attendance.  John MacLeod Tutterow arrived in  Dunvegan late Friday night and attended the Church services  Saturday with the other Clan MacLeod USA representatives.

Amongst others of the family present were Ulrika, Hugh, Stephan and Elena with their own immediate families; Patrick Adam Wolridge Gordon, John’s nephew; and Rosemary Wolridge Gordon, John’s sister-in-law.  Malcolm and his brother Francis represented Chiefs Donald of the Lewes and John of Raasay.  Members of Clan Societies included Ruth MacLeod (Australia), Carolyn MacLeod (Canada), Malcolm MacLeod (England), Rose Fleming (France), Dagmar Kurbjuhn (Germany), Rebecca McLeod (New Zealand), Nancy Nicol (member for the day of Republic of South Africa), Ruari Halford-MacLeod (Scotland) and Bill C. MacLeod (USA).  There were, of course, many other members and clansfolk present, too numerous to mention individually.  ACMS was represented by Malcolm MacLeod and Dorna Caskie.  Former ACMS Presidents Alex McLeod and Angus MacLeod attended together with Stella Henderson, former ACMS Secretary.

The service began with Psalm 103 verses 11-17, a prayer by The Reverend Caniel Sladek of the Free Church and a reading by the Reverend Rory Macleod from John 11 verses 18-29. The Reverend Murdo MacLeod, with whom John had corresponded and discussed issues and events over the years, read in Gaelic from John 14 verses 15-31 and Patrick Adam Wolridge gave the eulogy. There followed an evocative singing in Gaelic of Psalm 103 verses 3-5 and a heartfelt and moving address by the Reverend Murdo.  The service concluded with Psalm 23 and the blessing by the Reverend Rory.

February 24, 2007 Trip to the Cemetery

After the service, there were several sets of pallbearers including family, Dunvegan friends and Associated Clan MacLeod Societies (ACMS) members who took Chief John about one half mile down the road towards Dunvegan where he was placed on a horse drawn wagon and taken to St Mary's cemetery.  A procession was formed and all in attendances followed the family behind the wagon to the cemetery.  The ACMS pallbearers were Malcolm MacLeod and his brother, Francis, John Davidson Kelly, Ruari Halford-MacLeod, Dr. Alex McLeod and Bill C. MacLeod.  At the cemetery, he was then carried to his final resting spot next to Dame Flora.

February 24, 2007 At the Grave Site

St. Mary's Church is a important part of Clan MacLeod history, with Chief John being the sixth Clan Chief to be buried there. His son Stephan sang at the gravesite one of John's well liked works of Schubert. After another moving prayer by Reverend Murdo MacLeod, two pipers played in the distance "MacLeod's Salute."  The service concluded and slowly everyone filed out of the cemetery.

February 24, 2007 Refreshments at the Castle

Friends were invited back to the castle for tremendous spread refreshments.  Chief Hugh thanked everyone and said that he would try to fill his father’s shoes despite them being a size smaller than his feet, and felt that we would all understand that it would take time for that to happen, asking us to give him that time.  Right at the very end John Davidson Kelly played a lament to the late Chief and a salute to Chief Hugh at which point the flag over the Castle was lowered from half-mast and hoisted to full staff. We look forward to supporting Chief Hugh and wish him the very best as our 30th Chief of Clan MacLeod.

To view more photos taken Thursday, Friday and at the funeral on Saturday. Click Here

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Clan MacLeod Society, USA