James Mackay, Ardross

James – Jamesie – Jimmy – Jim – as he was, variously, fondly called by anyone who knew him, was one of the founders of the popular Ardross Dance Band.

He was also known as "Embo" and even "Schochan" (because of his family roots, as his mother and father originated from Embo and his father was known as "old Jimmy Embo").

He was born in Farr, Inverness-shire and had three sisters: Dolly, who died in 1979; Joanie, now living with her family in Arbroath; and Margaret, living in Scourie; plus a brother, William, who died aged just 13 months.

Jamesie leaves three daughters and a son, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren. James attended Ardross Primary School and Invergordon Academy and joined his father doing forestry work at 15, though had a career change for a short period in MacGregors supermarket in Alness.

But the lure of the outdoors and nature was too much so he decided to return to forestry, where he stayed until he retired in 2009.

Married in 1964 to Phillipa (Pip), the couple were due to have their golden wedding anniversary in January. As an early anniversary present to themselves they bought a puppy (a bichon frise shih tzu) called Pebbles, to join their three cats.

James became a Special Constable in 1979 and received a certificate and medal for 25 years’ service in 2004. Jamesie was a family man and family occasions were always happy times. He was at his best helping his four-year-old great grandson (Wee James) to sing and play guitar.

Some anecdotes from his forestry days come from his nephew David. He tells of the time when a forester came across Jamesie’s Land Rover in the woods one day and the forester looked at him and said: "You’ve been sleeping." "Not me," said Jamesie. The forester said: "You have been sleeping!" Jamesie said again: "No, I haven’t been sleeping!" The forester tells Jamesie to look in the mirror – where he sees the Land Rover logo from the steering wheel imprinted on his forehead!

Jamesie was a character, always ready with a joke, most of which cannot be printed. He loved singing, dancing and fishing. He was always happy and content, always the optimist, never the pessimist, always looking for the funny side of things to make people laugh or smile, even through his bad times.

Thankfully he was able to do some of the things he wanted to in his retirement – gardening, playing his keyboards and fishing, even buying a boat, although he never got the pleasure of using it – but he was always planning for the day it would get launched.

As a teenager his love of music was always to the fore, and he and Pip were often seen at the dance at the Nissan Hut Hall in Ardross – Jamesie, with his instantly recognisable rock ’n’ roll gear, D-A hairstyle, long red jacket, jeans and of course the blue suede shoes, and Pip wearing the fashion dress of the times rock ’n’ rolling in perfect style.

When he was in his mid teens Jamesie decided he wanted to buy a guitar so went to Invergordon and bought one. He got the bus back to Alness and walked the five miles to Ardross, strumming and playing the instrument.

One of his greatest delights was going to the social club in Invergordon and dancing to the Irish bands. He loved to show off his skills dancing the Irish jig, as he really fancied himself as another Michael Flatley.

About 1967 he and his friend Ian Shearer got together, Jamesie on guitar and singing, with Ian on drums. They then recruited a few friends and the Ardross Dance Band was born.

The band became very popular and were always in great demand, especially during the late 60s and 70s, playing every dance hall between Inverness and Durness, three to four nights a week.

Their popularity was due to their ability to play music to suit all ages and was without a doubt a lot down to Jamesie’s contribution of always giving his best. But the problem was to get him to stop singing. A lot of the time he had to be literally switched off at the plug.

There are many stories to be told about the exploits of the 45 years of the Ardross Dance Band. In those days there was no such thing as "downloading" songs. They were written out by hand and Jamsie leaves four songbooks with over 100 songs in each.

One of Jamesie’s proudest gigs was playing in one of the huge hangars in the Nigg yard in the early 70s as the band was asked to perform for the launching of the first platform built there, in front of thousands of people who attended.

One of his most forgettable gigs was playing at a Dornoch Show marquee dance, where the power for the band’s equipment was supplied by a generator. But the supply was too heavy for the amplifiers and blew every amp on the stage!

Inevitably, with discos taking over, the demand for four or five-piece bands diminished and dances were no more.

The band were kept busy though, playing private events and weddings up to 2011, when they decided to take a break due to Jamesie being diagnosed with an illness.

He always loved singing with others, especially his friend Jimmy Gunn who, only a few months ago, visited Jamesie at his house at Dublin, Ardross, with his guitar, to have a wee session in the porch.

He also had his weekly visit to his and Pip’s dancing and drinking buddies – Ian (best friend and lifelong band member) and his wife Elspeth, where he never failed to sing as he entered the house, with no need for a knock. Jamesie underwent an operation two years ago which was successful and he was in good spirits, always making light of it.

He went through another operation last November to improve his condition but had a set-back and spent some weeks in Raigmore Hospital’s high dependancy and intensive care units.

He made good progress towards recovery and had another operation last month, but complications set in and he passed away on Sunday, 24th November, in Raigmore, surrounded by his family.

The celebration of Jamesie’s life was held in Ardross Hall the following Friday, 29th November, conducted by Alan Smurthwaite of the Humanist Society of Scotland. The hall was packed, with standing room only, and fittingly the coffin was in front of the stage where Jamesie was always at his happiest.

Moving tributes were read from his daughters, Lorraine, Angela and Yvonne, with anecdotes from his nephew David and good friend Ian Shearer.

There was laughter and tears while his favourite music was played – when the family arrived it was "The Galway Shawl" and as they left, Elvis singing "An American Trilogy".

The interment took place in Rosskeen cemetery, where Jimmy Gunn sang a moving rendition of "Amazing Grace".

Jamesie was a one-off character and will be sadly missed by his wife Pip, all the family, friends and everyone who knew him

– I.S.