In menory of Colin MacLeod, who died 2 November 2005
I was off down the Gal Gael to take some pictures. I started putting together a collection of photographs. I had found some old negatives of Gal Gael, building there first Boat house. I thought it would make up a nice series of - the early boat building days. I was thinking as I went through the pictures, I need to get some photies without that Colin, in them. This would prove very difficult, because Colin, is in nearly all of the pictures, especially where people are working. Not for any vain reasons. Colin MacLeod was always at the centre of things - like some shinning beacon, sending out his ray of hope, always turned on at full power.
There are few people that I know, who have never heard me rave on, about the Gal Gael. The reason is because I care about community, especially the communities of the working classes. The Gal Gael trust is a criterion, by which people who care about their community, can judge what community should be. The other thing I respected and admired about Colin, was. He was out to win. He was out to win respect for ordinary people and would stop at nothing less.
I had not visited the new workshop for a while. I was excited to see what was happening. A visit to Gal Gael, has always raised my spirits, kept me focused, even in the early days, when the whole outfit consisted of a couple of planks of wood, some happy faces, in someone else's yard. The look on peoples faces now, I could see through the window, told me something was wrong. Tam told me what it was. "Colin's deed mate". I sat down to join the group of bewildered faces. Thinking of Gehan, the weans, the whole thing. We did all you can do, we talked, wept and reflected. It is no exaggeration to describe Colin as "one of our best warriors" as Alistair describes him. Livvie talked of Gehan and Colin meeting at the Pollok Free State. I sat and listened, to close friends of Colin's, people, trainees, who had only known him for six or seven weeks, describing Colin, as if they have known him for years. That was the thing about MacLeod, you only had to come within the distance of his radar, to receive his therapeutic vibes.
I am writing this, kind of half wanting to cry and half wanting to smile. To weep not only for the loss and in sympathy for Gehan and the family, but to smile at the happy memories that ease the sadness. Laughter is important to the Gal Gael, as is the work that they do. For to laugh means things are well, and if you couldn't have a laugh, you would not have gelled well with Colin MacLeod. "Howzit gone bigman", was your welcome, followed by, "A hope your no in here tay keep people aff thur work. Whit's that yuv goat on. Hey boys, check oot the big possur." "Puh - listen to whose talkin", and so on. There was always the disarming patter from Colin, just to keep you on your toes. Just to make sure you didn't come out with any fancy, arti-farti, ideas, that didn't relate to his people. He was very protective of his folk, his trainees, local people, and knew well how to relate to them, through their own experiences. Because he was one of them.
The other thing we have lost is the thinker. I have listened to Colin, describe Scottish history with the passion, that makes history dangerous to the status quo and to those who would deny a peoples history. He had the knowledge, wit, and passion that could fill books, a multi talented artist, but chose to be where he was needed, at the front line, in the drive for social change.
They are described as two peas in a pod, the other half of the working force that keeps the boat afloat. Gehan the wife and mother of their three kids and operations manager, who like Colin, does what has to be done. Gehan is a strong woman, and she will need all of her strength to get through her loss, and for her family. She will also need the support of her extended family the members and friends of GalGael. We will be there for you when you are ready, Gehan
Each and every one who knew him were encouraged in some way by his charm, kindness and integrity. This is where Colin's legacy lies and it is reflected in his people, this extended family of friends and even acquaintances. If anything can be a tribute to Colin, it is the continuation of his dream. When he speaks about Govan, and its people and other places like it, he tells us about another MacLeod that worked in Govan:
" '... we're teaching ourselves about the history of this place as one of the early centre's of the Celtic Church. George MacLeod of the lona Community was based here when he started to rebuild lona Abbey. Like he said, it's about bringing together work and worship. It's about getting back our dignity.' " You did bring back our dignity Colin. "We are all Gal Gael now "
Rest in peace brother
Inspirational son begins his long voyage home(Herald)