It’s taken me a while to write this sad update to the site; as always, they are an unavoidable element of any family history. With great sadness I’m recording the loss of my Aunt Ara (Barbara) MacAskill last year, aged just 76.

Ara passed away and was laid to rest in her beloved Scottish Highlands, and is survived by her children Barbara and Freddy, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren and nieces and nephews, as well as her brother Donald and sister Vivian.

Aunt Ara was married to my father’s brother, Stanley. Living so far away, we seldom saw them, but in later years, I visited my aunt and shared some wonderful walks in nature with her. She was a wonderful treasure trove of knowledge of the natural landscape of the Highlands of Scotland, its history, and flora and fauna.  She was also an incredibly welcoming hostess, and her cooked breakfasts were legendary. I miss our online chats where we often discussed our shared love of nature, wildlife, and folklore.

Ara (Barbara) MacAskill – 27/04/1948 – 17/03/2024