Tributes paid to 'much loved' RNLI Kyle Lifeboat Station stalwart Pat Mucklow who has died aged 86

Tributes have been paid to a “much-loved” RNLI stalwart who has died aged 86.

A mainstay of the Kyle Lifeboat Station since its inception in 1995, Pat Mucklow was the first woman in Scotland to get a boatman’s license.

In 1960, she was one of the first female crew members in the RNLI when she was part of a lifeboat mission in Mallaig.

Pat was heavily involved in the running of the station in Kyle and was a key part of early planning meetings when the need for it was first suggested.

Once it was finally set up in 1995 she became the lifeboat station treasurer.

She later also became the treasurer of the local fundraising branch, was the charity boxes secretary for 18 years and the souvenir secretary for 12 years.

In 2015 she received the RNLI’s Gold Medal for her services and fundraising efforts for, at that time, her 55 years of dedication to the charity.

Pat moved to Kyle 50 years ago when her previous employer passed away, starting work at the boat yard, and was soon a well recognised and liked member of the local community.

A crew Spokesman said: “Pat was a much loved member of the lifeboat station, and was known throughout the area for all of her hard work for the RNLI and the other charities she volunteered for.

“Whether that was travelling hundreds of miles a month collecting and counting donation boxes, sitting in the local supermarket with a lifeboat bucket chatting to all the customers and collecting donations, or attending all of the local open days, gala days or table sales selling RNLI goods and her own homemade marmalade to help raise funds for the station.”

Pat’s funeral takes place at 2pm in Kyle Church on Wednesday, before she is laid to rest in Balmacara cemetery.