On Thursday 23 July, family, friends and senior figures from legal and public life gathered for the Funeral and Memorial Service in memory of the late Keeper of the Signet, Lord Mackay of Clashfern KT. Representing the Society were former Deputy Keepers Tom Drysdale WS, John Elliot WS, Caroline Docherty OBE WS, and Mandy Laurie WS, Fiscal and Trustee Jen Skeoch WS, and Chief Executive Robert Pirrie WS and Principal Solicitor Sophie Mills. Lord Hope of Craighead gave the Tribute as part of a moving service which featured the Choir of St Giles’ and music by Henry Purcell.
In our own tribute to Lord Mackay, we include here links to our own interview with Lord Mackay and a recording of the ‘in conversation’ event held in 2022 at the Signet Library as one of the events to mark 200 years of the Signet Library.
Lord Mackay’s accomplishments have been well covered in obituaries in the national press. It is particularly for his friendly warmth, humanity, and humour that he is remembered on his frequent attendance at Diets of Admission, Annual Dinners and other occasions at the Signet Library. Lord Mackay was a keen supporter of everything the Society has been doing to open the Signet Library to visitors, for everything from legal work, historical studies, family occasions or afternoon tea.
We have extended the heartfelt condolences to Lady Mackay and her family of everyone at the WS Society, trustees, members and employees.
“In 2007, Lord Mackay became the Lord Clerk Register and Keeper of the Signet. In this capacity, he and Lady Mackay became very much part of the WS Society family and much loved by us all. ”