ALEXANDER FRASER passed to his rest at West Laroeh, Ballachulish, on 29th July, 1935, at the patriarchal age of 87. He was forty years a West Coast Missionary. His first appointment was to Scalpay, Harris, and afterwards to Strond, South Harris; he was stationed over thirty-six years at Georab, and Stockinish, Harris. He was a well-known figure in those parts of Harris. He retired in 1924 to his native country and took up his residence at Ballachulish. Mr. Fraser was closely related to Dr. Livingstone, the famous South African missionary, whose forbears hailed originally from Gometra, Mull. Mr. Fraser kept up correspondence with Dr. Livingstone’s daughter, Mrs. Wilson, and her son Dr. Livingstone Wilson who followed in the footsteps of his distinguished grandfather used to stay with Mr. Fraser and family when home on furlough.
On his retirement as a West Coast missionary he came to reside at Ballachulish, and it was there he died on the date already mentioned and was buried in the beautiful new cemetery of Duror in the Appin country, a district which at one time enjoyed the ministrations of Rev. W. S. MacDougall, latterly of Fodderty. During his retreat he conducted services at Kinlochleven for the Gaelic-speaking men there mostly from the Islands who were attracted to the place by the work which was so easily obtained there for many years. When the slump came and the men left for their Island homes Mr. Fraser was in the habit of conducting services in the house of Mr. Maclennan, gardener, Port Appin. Here he was welcomed by Mr. and Mrs. Maclennan to their home. The removal of the latter by death, shortly after Mr. Fraser’s decease, made a blank in that part of Argyllshire to not a few. Mr. Fraser also conducted a weekly prayer-meeting in the house of Miss MacColl, Bracklet, Ballachulish, for many years until laid aside by ill-health and infirmity. During the absence of the minister Mr. Fraser often conducted services at Oban and his visits to this place and ministrations there were highly appreciated by the people. He had a lively style as a speaker, and being the master of apt illustration his speaking arrested and kept up the attention of the hearers. At the Question Meetings he was listened to with the keenest attention. Argyllshire, like other places, is being stripped of those who bore witness that they were the followers of the Lamb and one misses them when they have bidden us farewell but it is well with them though we are the poorer.
We extend our sympathy to his daughter, Mrs. Mackinnon, U.S.A., and to his step-son, Mr. Edward Mackay, Collam, Harris.