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Charles Kennedy: Funeral for former Liberal Democrat leader to be held Charles Kennedy: Funeral for former Liberal Democrat leader to be held
(about 4 hours later)
The funeral of former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy is to be held later near his home in the Highlands. Mourners have begun arriving for the funeral of former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, which will be held near his home in the Highlands.
A Mass will be celebrated at St John's Roman Catholic Church in Caol before a burial service at Clunes, Achnacarry. A mass will be celebrated at St John's Roman Catholic Church in Caol before a burial service at Clunes, Achnacarry.
Family, friends and leading political figures are to attend the service, which will start at noon. Family, friends and leading political figures are to attend the service.
Mr Kennedy died at his home in Fort William on 1 June at the age of 55 after suffering a major haemorrhage as a result of his battle with alcoholism.Mr Kennedy died at his home in Fort William on 1 June at the age of 55 after suffering a major haemorrhage as a result of his battle with alcoholism.
He had been a Highland MP for 32 years, and led the Lib Dems for more than six years.He had been a Highland MP for 32 years, and led the Lib Dems for more than six years.
Steven McKenzie, BBC Scotland Highlands and Islands reporter
Ben Nevis, still with patches of snow on the top, looms large behind the Roman Catholic church.
But few of those attending paused to take in the view, instead heading inside with heads bowed.
Family and friends, some of the men dressed in kilts, walked in with political figures such as Nick Clegg, Danny Alexander and Alastair Campbell.
A group of children from Lochyside Primary School, who are signing a psalm during the mass, trooped off a minibus in their shirtsleeves before going inside.
Under Mr Kennedy's leadership, the party won a record 62 seats in 2005 but he resigned eight months after the election after revealing he had been receiving treatment for a long-standing drink problem.Under Mr Kennedy's leadership, the party won a record 62 seats in 2005 but he resigned eight months after the election after revealing he had been receiving treatment for a long-standing drink problem.
He lost his Ross, Cromarty and Skye seat to the SNP in last month's general election.He lost his Ross, Cromarty and Skye seat to the SNP in last month's general election.
Deputy first minister John Swinney will represent the Scottish National Party and the Scottish government at the service.Deputy first minister John Swinney will represent the Scottish National Party and the Scottish government at the service.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who is returning from the United States, is expected to attend a memorial service at a later date.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, who is returning from the United States, is expected to attend a memorial service at a later date.
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The Requiem Mass will be celebrated at the church where his late father and mother, Ian and Mary, were members. The requiem mass will be celebrated at the church where his late father and mother, Ian and Mary, were members.
Both of Mr Kennedy's parents - who died in recent years, his father during the general election campaign - were laid to rest at the church.Both of Mr Kennedy's parents - who died in recent years, his father during the general election campaign - were laid to rest at the church.
The principal celebrant will be Monsignor James MacNeil, Administrator of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles. The Homily will be preached by parish priest Father Roddy McAuley, who has described Mr Kennedy as "a much loved and respected parishioner".The principal celebrant will be Monsignor James MacNeil, Administrator of the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles. The Homily will be preached by parish priest Father Roddy McAuley, who has described Mr Kennedy as "a much loved and respected parishioner".
Monsignor MacNeil said the requiem mass would be a "deep moment for the family and for the community in which Charles worshipped - an expression of our faith".
He said he always remembered his encounters with Mr Kennedy, who regularly attended at St John's, and the local community feels a sense of solidarity in grieving over his loss.
"He was their brother," he said. "I wonder how Charles Kennedy will be remembered. Will he be remembered as the honest politician he was, the man who behaved with integrity? Or I'm inclined to think, don't under-estimate the authority of the person who suffers - the command he has, the respect and the compassion and the strength he gives to others.
"That's the way I think I will remember him, as the big human being who trusted God."
Pupils from St Columba's RC Primary School at Lochyside, which Mr Kennedy attended as a child, have been asked to the sing the Psalm O God, you search me and you know me.Pupils from St Columba's RC Primary School at Lochyside, which Mr Kennedy attended as a child, have been asked to the sing the Psalm O God, you search me and you know me.
In a statement earlier this week, his family said of the Mass: "This will be an opportunity for Charles' family and friends, the local community he loved and served for so long, as well as his political friends to bid him a fond farewell.In a statement earlier this week, his family said of the Mass: "This will be an opportunity for Charles' family and friends, the local community he loved and served for so long, as well as his political friends to bid him a fond farewell.
"The police have informed us to expect large numbers of people and we will make arrangements for the service to be piped outside should the church be full to overflowing.""The police have informed us to expect large numbers of people and we will make arrangements for the service to be piped outside should the church be full to overflowing."
Mr Kennedy will be buried at his family plot at a graveyard at Clunes near the shores of Loch Lochy.Mr Kennedy will be buried at his family plot at a graveyard at Clunes near the shores of Loch Lochy.
There is also to be a memorial service on 18 June at the University of Glasgow, where Inverness-born Mr Kennedy had been a student, union president and later its rector.There is also to be a memorial service on 18 June at the University of Glasgow, where Inverness-born Mr Kennedy had been a student, union president and later its rector.
Another memorial will be held in London at a later date.Another memorial will be held in London at a later date.
Mr Kennedy's 10-year old son Donald and his ex-wife Sarah were in the House of Commons last week to listen to 90 minutes of tributes, led by Prime Minister David Cameron, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and Labour leader Harriet Harman.Mr Kennedy's 10-year old son Donald and his ex-wife Sarah were in the House of Commons last week to listen to 90 minutes of tributes, led by Prime Minister David Cameron, Lib Dem leader Nick Clegg and Labour leader Harriet Harman.