A Legacy Of Caring

A Western Isles bothy and projects helping Afghan women and children are a fitting tribute to courageous aid worker Linda Norgrove

- JUDY VICKERS

ANCHORED to the cliff face on the west coast of the Isle of Lewis, with an inexhaustible supply of rolling Atlantic waves throwing themselves on to the rocks below, is the Mangersta Bothy.

Built by John and Lorna Norgrove in the 1990s, its wild and beautiful location has seen it described as the “best bothy in Scotland”.

Like most bothies, its facilities are basic – there’s no electricity, running water or toilet – but it’s still hugely in demand, being booked up – sleeping a maximum of three, booking is essential – even on wintry nights.

“We had three people in at the weekend,” says Lorna when we speak a few weeks ago. “It’s incredibly popular, we have people coming in all weathers.”

The bothy was also well loved by John and Lorna’s older daughter, Linda. “Linda had pictures, a panorama of the cliffs with the bothy, on her wall in her office in Jalalabad, it was a favourite spot of hers,” says Lorna.

And inside the bothy, visitors will find a Tupperware container with matches, pictures of the bothy being built and information on the Linda Norgrove Foundation, inviting donations in return for the shelter.

The foundation was set up 15 years ago by John and Lorna in memory of 36-year-old aid worker Linda following her death in a failed rescue attempt after she had been kidnapped in Afghanistan.

Its mission is to help women and children in Afghanistan, to continue Linda’s work. Since 2010, it has raised more than £3 million, funding projects such as mobile libraries and maternity health services. Its latest venture, supported by the Scottish and UK governments, saw 19 female medical students come to Scotland in August to complete their studies after the Taliban clamped down on women's and girls' schooling.