Isobel Harling
Isobel Harling (nee Macpherson), born
on 18th April 1923 in Boa Vista Road,
Kingussie, spent her early life in the
town then moved with her parents to
Glasgow then to Dalwhinnie ,where her
father worked with the Post Office as a
postman, and finally to Garraline
Terrace in Kingussie. She was employed
by a number of businesses in the town
over the years and also ran her own ladies’ clothes shop in High Street, where Country
Harvest is today. Isobel lives in Spey Street at 5 Caledonian Buildings. She has a daughter,
Gaynol and a son, John who both live locally.
At the start of World War II Isobel volunteered for the WRENS and moved to London, then
to Invergordon where she was an ambulance driver dealing with collecting remains of
servicemen.
Isobel had many years of involvement with the British Legion and of tending graves in the
New Cemetery, Kingussie where Indian Army servicemen and civilian war workers are
buried. Her dedication was rewarded at a presentation by Col. Singh of New Delhi during
one of his visits to Kingussie.
Isobel was also a founder member of the Abbeyfield Society in Kingussie and a member of
Kingussie Community Council for twelve years until 1993.
Isobel has an extensive knowledge of buildings in Kingussie and their former occupants as
well as memories of past events in the town.
Isobel at the Indian Graves
site in Kingussie Cemetery