Town’s balloon tribute marks tragic Scott’s 21st birthday
THE life of a teenager killed in a car accident was remembered when hundreds of balloons floated above Wick on what would have been his 21st birthday.
Over 80 businesses agreed to have a bunch of balloons hanging outside their premises to wish a happy birthday to Scott Mackenzie who died four years ago.
One of his closest friends wanted to do something to mark the milestone and, with the blessing of his family, Kelsey McDowall organised yesterday’s colourful tribute.
Miss McDowall (19), of Telford Street, first met Scott when she took part in a line-dancing class run by his mother, Eleanor, and the pair became close friends until his untimely death.
On what was an emotional day for both friends and family, she said it was a fitting tribute to a young man who was special in so many people’s lives.
"I knew Scott since I was very young and with it being his 21st birthday, it is a very hard time for all those who knew him," she said.
"But I wanted to do something on his birthday that would make everybody smile and I thought that this would be the perfect way to celebrate his life.
"We let a bunch of balloons off during his funeral, which led to the idea of organising this event.
"We didn’t know that there were so many shops in Wick but businesses in the town centre have been so supportive."
Katy Gunn, of KG Events, supported the event by helping blow up 393 balloons with helium.
Scott was a passenger in a car which crashed on the A882 road at Whitefield. He was just 17.
A talented footballer, Scott had a promising career ahead of him and was part of the youth setup at Ross County.
The Scott Mackenzie Memorial Tournament is held every year at Bignold Park and has raised close to £20,000 to help youth football in Caithness.
His family have also been involved in road safety campaigns in the far north and throughout the Highlands, talking to young people about the dangers of driving.
They have joined forces with Highland MSP David Stewart to introduce drivers having to display "P" plates for a minimum of 90 days after passing their tests, which has proven a success in Northern Ireland.
Every shop that agreed to take part displayed at least one bunch of three balloons outside its premises.
Scott’s sister, Claire MacKenzie (30), said that such a simple idea had been humbling for her whole family, saying that the day had been made a lot easier to handle.
"The significance of three balloons will be known to everybody who knew Scott," she said.
"It is heart-warming to think that four years after his death, there are people outside of our family who are still thinking about him."
