The death has been announced of Mrs Eleanor MacFadyen, wife of Iain, and his constant companion throughout his long piping career.
Eleanor passed away in Raigmore Hospital, Inverness, surrounded by her family. She had been ill for several months and visits to the hospital were made all the more heart rending given the isolation regulations of the pandemic.
Eleanor was known throughout the solo piping world and was a regular and popular attendee at all the big contests and recitals as well as at Highland games all over Scotland.
A Highland dancer in her early years, Eleanor was fully supportive of the family’s move to the Highlands when Iain was appointed one of the first schools’ piping instructors there in the early 1970s.
She quickly adapted to the Highland way of life and was a well known and respected member of the community in Kyle of Lochalsh, Wester Ross, where the family settled and thrived.
Iain’s success in restoring and resurrecting piping in that part of the world was due in no small part to the support and contribution made by Eleanor. She was actively involved in organising local recitals and competitions. The hospitality she showed to visitors to their home overlooking the Inner Sound between Skye and the mainland was legion.
Eleanor will be fondly remembered by all who knew her, and the piping world will, I am sure, wish to join with me in sending sincere condolences to Iain, Iain jnr., Karen and the rest of the family. RW
So sad to hear about Eleanor. We were next door neighbours as children and I was given piping lessons by her father, Johnny Hannah, when I was eight years old. Eleanor and Iain always made us welcome in Kyle, and she will be missed by so many. Our condolences to Iain and family.
George and Carole Wilson
So sad to hear of Eleanor’s passing. I was privileged to enjoy a number of stays with the MacFadyen family at Kyle in the 1980s whilst receiving tuition from Iain and the friendship and hospitality given by Eleanor, welcoming me into their home, almost as a family member, was immense. Eleanor’s continued friendship over the years, always showing an interest in family news when we met at competitions, was always heartwarming. Thoughts and prayers with Iain, Karen, Iain Jnr. and the wider family.