Tributes paid to canoe death girl

A little girl who died in a canoe accident has been laid to rest as hundreds of mourners gathered to share memories and say goodbye to their "beautiful angel".

Tributes to five-year-old Grace Mackay, who had an "infectious smile" and a "gracious, sweet nature", were paid at a funeral service in her home town of Muir of Ord, near Inverness.

Grace, who had just started primary two at Tarradale primary school, died in hospital last week after being pulled from Loch Gairloch, Wester Ross, in the Scottish Highlands, when the canoe she was in with her father, sister and three family friends capsized.

The accident on Sunday August 26 also claimed the lives of Ewen Beaton, five, and his brother Jamie Beaton, aged two.

The body of the boys' 32-year-old father, also Ewen, from Beauly near Inverness, has yet to be found, despite extensive police and coastguard searches.

Grace's father and her eight-year-old sister Callie survived after managing to swim to the shore.

The hearse arrived at East Church in Seaforth Road and the white coffin was taken inside as mourners began to enter the church. The car carried the floral tribute "Grace", written in purple and white blooms.

Several pink wreaths and bouquets were laid outside the door of the church and a pink, heart-shaped helium balloon was placed alongside them.

The congregation watched a film of Grace singing Baa, Baa, Black Sheep and dancing to songs on the television.

Her family, including her mother Wendy, arrived as the song Call Me Maybe by Carly Rae Jepson, one of Grace's favourites, was played.