Rugby club pays tribute to Duncan MacPhee

A Lochaber Rugby Club statement said: 'It is with great sadness we mark the passing of an important member of our rugby family - Duncan MacPhee - who died peacefully at home with his family by his side on Thursday December 8.

 

'We offer our sincere condolences to Rosie, the extended family and friends as well as their shinty family at Fort William Shinty Club.

 

'Duncan and Rosie were lifelong members of our club and were both actively involved in the early years, helping raise funds for our first clubhouse.

 

'With the help and support of Duncan and his legal team, we set up our roots in Banavie in 1987, where he continued to help the club develop and strive. He became club president in 1989.

 

'All of their boys gave rugby a try, attending mini rugby on Saturday mornings, and were not frightened to get stuck in, but as children do, they tried other sports and settled into playing regularly at Fort William Shinty Club.

 

'The shinty club’s gain was our loss but we were delighted they all excelled in the sport, making their parents proud.

 

'Duncan was quite a wit and mild mannered but articulate and could stop you with one sentence if required. He helped so many people in Fort William and surrounding areas, not only on a professional basis but on a personal level in his usual quiet manner.

 

'Some of our older retired players will have many happy memories of playing with him as well as the after-game antics.'

 

'If you played with or against Duncan in his younger days and have some memories of him you would like to share, please put them in the ‘comments’ section on our tribute to him on the Lochaber Rugby Club Facebook page. We are sure his family will read them in due course and take great comfort of reliving his rugby days.

 

'Rest in peace Duncan. You put up a strong fight and will be greatly missed by everyone  at Lochaber Rugby Club.

 

Photographs

 

NO_F50_Ducan MacPhee 01: Duncan MacPhee. Photograph: Iain Ferguson, alba.photos.

 

NO_F50_Ducan MacPhee_Frasers Field: Duncan, right, with his family at the opening of Fraser's Field which was dedicated to the memory of his son, in July 2021.