DEATH OF FORMER NORTH HOCKEY INTERNATIONALIST
EILIDH DAVIES – PRESS and JOURNAL
A Former Scottish hockey internationalist and Fort Augustus Abbey school master has died.
Hamish MacDonald, 82, of Cluanie, Fort Augustus, died in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, on Wednesday, April 4.
Mr MacDonald, who was born at Dunblane, was raised at Cluanie Inn, near Glen Shiel, which his parents ran for many years. At the age of eight, he became a boarder at Fort Augustus Abbey School, where he studied until he was 18.
He then served with the Fleet Air Arm as a pilot during World War II.
Mr MacDonald completed his teacher training at Jordanhill College in Glasgow before he taught in various primary schools around the Highlands, including Kilmonivaig, at Spean Bridge. He then took up a teaching position back at Fort Augustus Abbey in 1957, where he worked for more than 30 years until his retirement in 1988.
Mr MacDonald taught maths and various sports during his time at the Abbey school. He was also heavily involved with the cadets and the local Roman Catholic community and the community council.
He married his wife, Alison, an art teacher, at Roy Bridge in 1954. They settled in Fort Augustus, where they raised their three daughters Fiona, Sheena and Heather.
Mr MacDonald excelled at hockey, for which he represented his country during the 1950s. He also played cricket for the Northern Counties and enjoyed fishing.
Mr MacDonald’s family said he had suffered a heart attack over a year ago, and was treated in Raigmore Hospital, where, they said, he received fantastic treatment, which is why they had asked for donations, if desired, to be given for the coronary care unit at the hospital.
Mr MacDonald is survived by his wife and daughters .
His funeral will take place on Tuesday at Fort Augustus Parish Church, at 11am.