Mourners from across Galloway and far beyond will gather in Kirkpatrick Durham on Wednesday to celebrate the life of a much-loved and talented woman.
Scots singer and songwriter Nicola Black passed away unexpectedly on March 25, leaving family and friends distraught.
Despite his grief her husband Blackie vowed to give his wife the send off she would have wanted – and has organised a “last walk” for Nicola ahead of a simple ceremony in the village hall at noon.
Blackie told the News: “We’ll meet all the folk at the crossroads at 11.45am then walk down to the hall for the short ceremony-service.
“Dress code is to be colourful and cheerful – it’s so people don’t come all done up for a sombre funeral. That’s just the way we roll.
“We have no idea how many folk are coming. But I think the hall is going to be absolutely jammed.
“We are connecting up extension speakers so the ceremony can be relayed outside.
“There will be teas and coffees and I’m going to put a video together.”
The service will be followed by a private burial in rolling countryside near Kirkcudbright. Blackie said: “We are going to take Nicola to Glenley where there’s a green burial site.
“It’s a lovely spot – just a field – and very much what Nicola would have wanted.
“We will leave the hall open then go back up after the burial.
“If there’s people still there it would be lovely to have a chat with them.”
Nicola, 60, overcame dyslexia and serious health issues to become a major contributor to the cultural life of Galloway and Scotland.
She led the Catstrand Singers in New Galloway, released a CD of songs featuring Glenkens poets and folklore, and worked with local poet Stuart A Paterson to produce a book and CD of Scots bairnsangs.
Nicola regularly sang and played guitar at gigs and despite having no Gaelic, led local Gaelic choir, An Seinneadairean.
And 15 months before she passed, she featured in the News’ Galloway People series.
She said in conclusion: “There’s a gentleness with Galloway Scots which I love. But we have lost so many words.
“We need to keep using them and teach our kids because they are great words.
“I just want to make more music and hope that the world carries on as it should.”
Nicola leaves behind Blackie, daughter Fiona, son Ali and four grandchildren, Cameron, Connor, Patrick and Orla.
Blackie said: “We are overwhelmed and very touched by all the messages.
“The only continents we have not had stuff from are Africa and Antarctica.
“In Japan there are five schools who got Nicola’s CD of bairnsangs. Those schools played them all the same day when they heard. That sort of thing means a lot. It really touched me.
“It has been a very emotional time.”
Collections for charity will be taken in lieu of flowers on the day.
Proceeds will be split between the Scottish Huntington’s Association and the CatStrand.
Anyone unable to attend on the day, or wishing to donate online instead, can do so at gofund.me/5681576d
