Rita Campbell
A WOMAN has made a pilgrimage from Australia to Scotland to pay tribute to the two men who saved her dad’s life more than six decades ago.
Jim MacDougall and the late Jimmy MacLean were working by the shores of Loch Eil when they spotted young John McCallum and Frank Sweeney being swept out to sea in a sinking raft.
Despite the fact Mr MacLean could not swim, the pair commandeered a boat and went to the aid of the youngsters, who were aged just eight and nine.
As they raced to reach the boys, their own boat started sinking and they had to row and bail simultaneously.
The drama unfolded in 1953 when the temporary wartime pre-fab village of Annat was being demolished.
John McCallum, now aged 73 and a minister, moved to Australia in 1985 – but always told the story of the time his life was saved.
His daughter, Dr Ann Marie McCallum, 36, is currently visiting her family in the Highlands and had the chance to meet Mr MacDougall, now aged 86, and Mr MacLean’s sons Thomas and Allan to say thank you.
She said: “My father and Frank Sweeney were playing together in a handmade raft.
“They put it out in the loch and they got caught up in currents at The Narrows. They were getting swept out into the middle of the loch, they couldn’t swim and the raft started to sink.
“Two local men who were working along the shore line heard them screaming for help.
“They jumped in a boat and rowed out to save the boys. Because the boat wasn’t sealed it started sinking, so they had to row and bail at the same time.
“They managed to rescue the boys at risk to themselves and brought them back to shore. Mr MacLean couldn’t swim.”
Dr McCallum’s uncle, Lindsay MacCallum, of Easter Ross, and her aunt Angela MacDonald, of the Black Isle, discovered Mr MacDougall still lives in Fort William and organised an afternoon tea to allow her to thank him.
She said: “My father was really excited and pleased. He sent his best wishes and thanks to Mr MacDougall and the MacLean family.
“It was really special because it was part of my childhood folklore. I always heard the story and I didn’t expect to meet the man who helped save him. I’m just delighted to thank him.
“He didn’t want any fuss but I think secretly he was quite pleased.”