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Western Isles teenager Liam Aitchison was  buried today (fri) some four weeks after his body was found in an abandoned property near Stornoway.

The 16-year-old was laid to rest with his electric guitar on top of his white-coloured coffin in Hallan Cemetery in Daliburgh, on his home island of South Uist.

His funeral had been delayed for two days after his body was delayed in leaving Oban, following post a mortem in Inverness, due to a storm disrupting ferry services.

There was a service in the church late last night after his body arrived off the MV Clansman.

This afternoon, despite the bitter, strong wind and rain lashing the island, hundreds of mourners - a vast number of them youngsters, his former classmates and friends - turned out to pay their last respects.

Some 400 people packed out St Peter's church in Daliburgh, nearly a quarter of them standing, for the funeral service

Parish priest Canon Donald Mackay said the "violent and sudden" nature of Liam’s death had shocked and saddened the whole community.

He said his parents and family have the support of the community who were praying for them.

After four weeks, Liam had at last "returned home for burial in his own community," he said.

Father Mackay spoke of how Liam's character had "endeared" him to so many people.

Liam's father Norrie Aitchison helped carry his son's coffin - with a wreath bearing the family's catchphrase for the teen - Shine on, You Crazy Diamond - the title of the epic Pink Floyd song.

Well over two hundred mourners attended a short service in the exposed windswept coastal graveyard on the sandy Daliburgh machair about half a mile from the church.

Some of Liam's friends joined family members to lower the coffin, as a local youngster played the bagpipes. Others laid floral tributes.

In addition to family wreaths, there was one from the villagers of Steinish, Lewis,where Liam's body was found in a derelict two-bedroomed house, adjacent to farmland on the edge of Stornoway airport at the end of last month.

Two Lewis youths have been charged with murder in connection with Liam's death.

Jonathan Alexander Mackinnon, 21, of Stornoway and Stefan Norquay Macleod Millar, 20, of Carloway, Lewis, were fully committed to trial following a brief appearance in private at Inverness Sheriff Court last week. Neither made any plea or declaration.

Jonathan Mackinnon was remanded in custody while Stefan Millar, was released on bail.

Liam Aitchison was from Lochboisdale in South Uist - where his mother Mairi and infant sister Rebecca stay - but was spending time on his father's home island of Lewis since leaving secondary school in the summer.

A memorial service in memory of Liam was held in Stornoway last week.

 

 

 

Hebrides News Liam Aitchison funeral

Liam Aitchison is laid to rest         30/12/11