An island community, struggling to come to terms with a devastating week, have shown their unity in prayer.
Eilidh MacLeod, 14, from Barra died in the terrorist attack in Manchester a week ago, while her friend Laura MacIntyre, 15, remains in hospital in the city.
Yesterday, parish priest Father John Paul MacKinnon led the Mass at Our Lady Star of the Sea church in Castlebay.
Afterwards, he remarked there was still a “numbness” in the community, but said it was a very “prayerful” session.
During mass, he described how the week had turned out “to be real living nightmare”, especially for the families of the two girls.
Father MacKinnon added: “I have spoken to both families, to both sets of parents and they have asked me to tell everyone that they are so grateful for all your love and support, prayers and messages.
“Their hearts are broken, their lives have changed forever, but they are lifted up by the love and support of their island and also by the wider world.”
He added: “God has a special place for our dear beautiful Eilidh, she will be united forever with God’s Holy Angels.
“She will forever see the glory of God face to face and will forever be in God’s love.
“She will forever be loved and remembered by her family and by all her many friends. Our loss is heaven’s gain.”