Hundreds of friends joined relatives yesterday to pay their last respects to a young Highlander who was given a traditional travellers’ send-off.
James Stewart, 30, from Strathpeffer, died earlier this month at Wrexham Maelor Hospital in Wales.
He was a father and a talented landscape gardener.
The outdoor service at the Stewart family home at Craigdarroch Cottages, Contin, was conducted by retired Church of Scotland minister Rev Jim Rettie.
The leader of the Christian Fellowship of Healing for the Highlands spoke of his personal, deep sadness at the loss of a number of young Highland lives in recent months.
Speaking after the service, he said: “We all have a big concern for young lives being cut short.
“People blame ‘the changing world’ and difficulty with coping with a changing world.
“I was speaking about the one who never changes – our God.
“I was encouraged that there were so many young people here to hear that [message] today, that as we put our hand into the hand of God, we go on in life.”
Rev Rettie said the theme of the service had been “fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed for I am your God; I will help you, I will strengthen you. I will uphold you with my victorious right hand.”
Mr Stewart’s coffin had been conveyed to the service by a modern hearse and subsequently transferred to a horse-drawn carriage for the seven-mile journey to Urray Cemetery near Muir of Ord.
The family had recently suffered the loss of James’s 29-year-old cousin John Stewart, who died earlier this year after a lifetime of health problems.
John and his two brothers, Robert and Archie, have all been laid to rest at the cemetery along with their father, John Snr.
Four immaculate Dutch Friesian horses pulled the carriage containing Mr Stewart’s coffin at a stately pace to Urray West Parish Church.
Relatives and friends followed in a long, steady procession.
Former Scots Guards piper, Dougie Watson played moving renditions of The Dark Island, Flower of Scotland and Amazing Grace.