A SCHOOLGIRL who died in a road accident on the notorious A9 had dreams of emulating her actress idol Karen Gillan – and the talent and determination to be a star in her own right.
Hundreds of people who gathered yesterday to celebrate Hollie Mackay’s life heard she was a natural entertainer and a “special friend” with a caring nature.
The 15-year-old was on her way home from an after-school drama session when she was hit by a car on the Inverness-Thurso road at Kildary during the evening rush-hour.
She had just stepped off a bus and was crossing the road to her home at Mackays Cottage, Balachraggan.
She was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness but died from her injuries.
In common with 25-year-old Inverness-born actress Miss Gillan, Hollie had attended drama courses at Eden Court Theatre in the Highland capital.
In a tribute read by the Rev Fraser Stewart, the teenager’s parents, Saunders and Jean, said: “It was there that Hollie managed to speak with her idol, Karen Gillan from Dr Who, and also had her photo taken with her. This made Hollie’s day.”
Dozens of Hollie’s classmates and friends from Invergordon Academy were among those who crowded into Logie Easter Parish Church yesterday to say their final farewells.
The service of thanksgiving for her life was broadcast to people standing in the vestibule of the packed kirk.
Her school’s acting head teacher, Alison Drew, led the tributes to Hollie and said: “There was a real entertainer in her.
“She couldn’t decide, as she was always telling people, whether acting or music would make her famous.
“I believe she had the ability, drive and determination to make her dream of fame come true.”
She said Hollie, who played guitar and violin and sang in the academy choir as well as performing in plays, was an “outstanding pupil” and a “credit to the school”.
The S4 student also took part in Invergordon Youth Theatre and was studying for a national drama qualification at Eden Court.
She was also a keen skier who could tackle the most difficult black runs with ease.
Miss Drew said the teenager was “kind, thoughtful, caring and considerate”.
Classmate Tammy Hudson said Hollie was not only her best pal, but also like a sister to her.
She said as well as her gift for music and acting, Hollie had a great sense of humour and was a very special friend.
Mr Stewart read a loving tribute from her parents.
They said: “Hollie was a happy-go-lucky child who had lovely manners, and a caring nature, with a love of life.”
They said their daughter was very friendly, at ease speaking to anyone and had a huge zest for life.
They added: “Hollie will be sadly missed by us all, especially her sister Alix. She was a huge part of our lives.”
The minister said the church would like to take some credit for sparking Hollie’s early interest in drama when she attended Sunday school.
He said she performed a nativity play almost single-handed with a little help from some adults after a snowstorm prevented the other children from reaching the kirk.
Members of music movement Feis Rois performed a tribute to their former bandmate and a collection was taken at the service to be split between the organisation and the Soar Youth Project.
The ceremony was followed by a private cremation at Inverness Crematorium and a gathering later at the Anta factory shop and tearoom at Fearn, near Tain, where the teenager worked part-time.