Biography

Hector MacKenzie (Eachann Thormoid Mhòir) was born on 11 March 1926 in Gairloch. His mother, Kate MacPherson, came from Opinan in the Gairloch district, while his father was from Craig, between Diabaig and Red Point, and had spent many of his younger years in Canada.

Hector attended Achtercairn Primary School before moving on to Dingwall High School. During the Second World War he joined the Navy, serving on minesweepers between Liverpool and Holyhead. Towards the end of the war, he was stationed in Norway, where he and his unit were tasked with building a wireless station.

After the war, he returned to his studies to gain the subjects required for university entrance. He went on to Glasgow University, graduating with an MA in 1950, followed by teacher training at Jordanhill College.

His first post was in Ross-shire and Sutherland, working for the Gaelic Committee and the Formal Education service, teaching Gaelic to children across the region. After a short period in Muir of Ord, he was invited to join the staff of the Agricultural College at Balmacara, where boys from the islands and crofting communities studied. He spent two years there.

Following a brief spell in Islay, Hector returned to Glasgow, where he met his future wife, Anna Graham from Clydebank, who was also teaching in the city. They married in 1959 and went on to have five children – three daughters and two sons.

After their marriage, Hector returned north and spent around ten years at Logie School in Easter Ross, before moving to Munlochy Primary School on the Black Isle. He remained there for more than twenty years, retiring in 1991. He returned to Gairloch for a period before moving to Inverness.

Music ran in the family, and Hector himself was a capable singer, often performing at ceilidhs. Although he had little interest in competing, he was frequently invited to judge at mods.

Hector died in 2016.