London grave of Gaelic gold medallist refurbished

A gravestone dedicated to one of Gaelic's best-known singers has been refurbished after falling into disrepair.

Margrat Duncan was born in Islay in 1888 and went on to win major prizes at the Mòd, Scotland's biggest celebration of Gaelic language and culture.

She later moved to London and was a leading member of the city's Gaelic choir. She died in 1948 and was buried in Twickenham Cemetery.

London Gaelic Choir - Còisir Lunnainn - had the revamp done to mark the 100th anniversary of Duncan singing with the choir at its first Mòd.

Còisir Lunnainn raised the funds needed to fix the gravestone, which was lopsided and had faded lettering.

Work was also done to areas of uneven ground around the grave.

Members of Còisir Lunnainn noticed the issues when they visited Duncan's grave before attending the Mòd in Paisley in 2023.

The choir said: "Margrat conducted and sang with Còisir Lunnainn at our first Mòd in Greenock, 1925.

"To mark this anniversary, it felt only right to have her final resting place in Twickenham Cemetery restored."

It added: "An immense, heartfelt thank you to everyone who contributed to our fundraiser. We're a small choir and we really couldn't have done it without you."

Duncan started singing at a young age and won the junior silver medal at 1903's Inverness Mòd.

She won the gold medal - the festival's biggest prize - at the Stirling Mòd in 1909.

After moving to London, she served on the choir's music committee and conducted the ladies' choir at Còisir Lunnainn first Mòd in Greenock in 1925.

She also toured with her music.

The Margrat Duncan Memorial Trophy was set up in her memory following her death.

Choirs, including London's, compete for it each year during the Mòd.