TRIBUTES have been paid to an independence campaigner who carried out a daring climb to fasten a huge Yes banner to the rocks below Edinburgh Castle during the 2014 referendum campaign – despite having a debilitating lung condition.
The death of Lindsay Jarrett was described as "dreadful news" by SNP Ian Blackford, who said she was a “truly remarkable woman”.
She was told she was unlikely to live longer than a year after being diagnosed in 2008 with an incurable genetic disease, but said getting involved with the Yes campaign had prolonged her life.
A few days before the referendum in 2014, a bold Yes sign appeared on the rockface beneath Edinburgh Castle – and at first no-one knew who was behind the daring act.
It was later revealed Lindsay had scaled the cliff-face in the night to place it there, climbing while carrying a four-litre tank of oxygen in her rucksack.
SNP MP Ian Blackford tweeted: “So sad to hear the dreadful news today that Lindsay Jarrett has passed away in the hospice in Inverness. Lindsay has been taken far too early and will be sorely missed by her family and wide circle of friends.
“Goodness knows how she was able to pack so much into her life and over the last few years facing a debilitating illness, was just another barrier to overcome.
“Anyone who spent anytime in the company of Lindsay was better off for the experience, she was a truly remarkable woman.
So sad to hear the dreadful news today that Lindsay Jarrett has passed away in the hospice in Inverness. Lindsay has been taken far too early and will be sorely missed by her family and wide circle of friends. pic.twitter.com/tG7yj4r04V
— Ian Blackford 🇺🇦🏴 (@Ianblackford_MP) June 13, 2023
“Who could forget a woman with a degenerative lung condition who could scale Edinburgh Castle single handed, carrying a four litre oxygen cylinder, to affix a Yes barrier to the Castle rock on Saturday the 13th September a few days before the referendum.
“Lindsay was a patriot who worked for Scotland becoming an independent nation. Rest in peace dear friend, we are all going to miss you. Thoughts and prayers with all of Lindsay's family and friends.”
In an interview in 2015 with The National she said: “There is no doubt getting involved in the Yes campaign helped me live longer and improved my quality of life. Mental strength is very important to anyone who has a terminal illness and people often underestimate that.
“What I am fighting for is what I leave behind for my children. My dream is for an independent socialist Scotland and from that perspective the more I can do towards that the better my children’s lives will be when I’m not here.”
