Moving send-off for Lochcarron centre's cook

MORE than 100 well-wishers gathered to ensure a true Highland send-off to a "legendary" cook who has been at the heart of an acclaimed Wester Ross care facility since it opened.

Cis Ross, head cook at the Howard Doris Centre in Lochcarron since 1996, was the centre of attention at a very special afternoon tea organised to mark her retirement and pay thanks for her years of valued service to the facility.

The head cook’s meals and, in particular her baking, have been a major attraction for all who have attended over the years.

Centre stalwart Dr David Murray opened the proceedings and acted as compere for the afternoon of celebrations.

On behalf of the Strathcarron Project Board he thanked Cis for all her hard work, pointing out that she was the only member of staff who had been "head-hunted". Her cooking was what initially drew clients to come to the centre and her baking, he said, was "legendary".

This theme was echoed by speeches from Ina Mackenzie, Mina Stewart and Kerry Watson. Laela Maclean composed a poem which reminisced and poked good-natured fun at Cis’s life in Lochcarron and the Centre.

Cis’s husband Sandy kept the feet tapping with musical interludes on his accordion — including one tune called Christine Ross of Lochcarron, initially written for Cis by the late Iain Crichton, from Stornoway.

Christine Houser, Donar MacIver and his son, Stephen MacIver sang Gaelic songs — the eyes of some of the older guests lighting up as they joined in the choruses.

Cis was aided by Morag MacCuish to cut her retirement cake which had been made by Harry Gow, her favourite baker. She made a speech thanking everyone for their presence and for the gifts she had received from the clients, staff and board members.

The event provided a lovely send-off for Cis. The afternoon ended with everyone joining hands to sing Auld Lang Syne accompanied musically, as in life, by her husband Sandy.