Brief Profile

Brief Profile

Invitation

Friends wishing to send in an Appreciation for publication here are welcome to do so. Texts should be sent to registrations@milestonesscotland.co.uk.

Death Notice

Mora Munro, Balconie, Evanton, passed away peacefully in her 90th year, on 24 December, 2018, at Urray House, Muir of Ord. She is survived by her daughter Jill, son-in-law, Jean-Marie and her grand-daughters, Mary, and Helene. The funeral service will take place at Kiltearn Parish Church, Evanton, at 11.00 on 4 January 2019.

Timeline

1930 Moves from Hawick to Kilmarnock
1936 – 1937 Begins Primary school, Kilmarnock
1937 Moves to Aberdeen
1941 – 1946 Aberdeen High School
1946 – 1950 Studies at Aberdeen University, playing hockey for the university and graduating with an MA
1951 – 1952 First teaching position, Demonstration School, Aberdeen
1953 – 1956 Infant teacher, Callander Primary School
1956 August 23, married, in Callander by her father Rev. John Mowat, to Alastair Harry Munro
Set up home in Balconie, Evanton, Ross-shire
1961 April 19, birth of Jill Mora Munro
1967 – 1973 Infant teaching, Kiltearn Primary School
1979 – 1989 Infant teaching, Kiltearn Primary School
2016 January 17 Death of Alastair
2019 December 23 moved to Urray House, Muir of Ord

Obituary

Mora Jean Munro was a joyful, generous, hospitable, only daughter of the Manse. In August 1956, she married Alastair, and together they set up house at Balconie, Evanton, on the shores of the Cromarty Firth. A city girl, she quickly adapted to country life, with many warm memories of her childhood on her uncles’ farm, Wester Rarichie, Nigg. With Alastair, they farmed Balconie which was successively a dairy farm, a sheep farm and granary for Dalmore Distillery.

Alastair farmed Balconie but was also an elder in Kiltearn Parish Church. There, they supported successive ministers; Mora taught at Sunday School and led the choir. Mora’s long-standing interest in music led her to join the Dingwall Choir, conducted by Andrew Adamson. Over 20 years of service to the choir she gained a reputation as a strong reliable soprano.

Mora was an accomplished infant teacher, mainly at Kiltearn Primary School, Evanton, where she taught almost two generations. During her career, she made many lasting friendships, enjoying former colleagues’ company at weekly gatherings, long after her retirement. Her interest in the young included the Girl Guides, serving as Brown Owl of the Evanton pack of Brownies for several years.

In the summer holidays, Alastair and Mora’s activities converged in hosting families on holiday in the old farm cottages. This was the occasion for more singing – long into the summer nights around a campfire in the old Castle Garden. Mora and Alistair began renting out the cottages in the 1970s, at a time when tourism grew in the area.

Retirement from school enabled Mora to join Alastair, an enthusiastic traveller, on trips abroad, often to visit their daughter Jill, who studied abroad and later settled in Strasbourg, France. At home, she was happy in their garden, which she planned and planted with great care, creating an oasis of colour for friends and family to enjoy. It was also there that their grandchildren, Mary, and Helene, made their second home, learning from their grandparents at Balconie, what it meant to have a Highland heritage. Jill’s visits home with her husband Jean-Marie and daughters were always welcome. Even more so after Alastair’s death.

Mora died on 25 December in Urray House, Muir of Ord, at 89, very early on Christmas Day. She had only been there two days and died peacefully, content that she had seen so many of those dear to her during her last days and that she had been able to thank them for their friendship to her over the years.

Many friends and former colleagues gathered in Kiltearn Parish Church for Mora’s funeral on 4th January 2019. The service was conducted by Reverend Charles Robertson.

Acknowledgement

Sincere thanks go to the staff and residents of Urray House, Muir of Ord, who made Mora so welcome for even a few days. Warm thanks also to Rev. Charles Robertson who travelled up from Edinburgh to take the funeral service, and to his wife Alison, for playing the organ. Most of all, thanks to Alan Johnstone, Allison Murray and Maureen Rose who made it possible for Mora to stay until the very end of her life at Balconie, as she wished. Thanks too, to all the friends who supported her in this decision, bringing her much happiness in her last years.