A much-loved dad who tragically died from a rare cancer had his Viking funeral wish fulfilled after a Renton history group stepped in.
Musician Andrew McKelvie, 32, passed away in August last year leaving behind his devastated family, including wife Michelle and one-year-old son Harris.
Covid restrictions meant his loved ones could only organise a small funeral and were unable to hold a wake.
But one year on they were able to give the Viking movie fan the perfect ceremony which saw members of the Strathleven Artizans build a small 'Viking ship' which sailed his ashes out to sea.
It was decked out in true Norse style with furs, weapons and food for the onward journey to Valhalla.
Andrew’s aunt Lorraine Brown, from Alexandria, said: “We thank them from the bottom of our hearts for everything they’ve done.
“They built the most amazing Viking ship. It was just incredible.
“It meant so much to us to get the chance to say a final goodbye.
“Losing him was a devastating blow to the family. He had a young wife and one-year-old son, it was heartbreaking.”
Andrew passed away from rare cancer signet ring cell carcinoma only two weeks after becoming ill.
Lorraine said: “It was so sudden and was such a shock.
“He hadn’t been feeling well a couple of weeks earlier.
“Eventually he was admitted to hospital and passed away two weeks later. We found out afterwards that it was a rare cancer.
“The doctors said they had only read about it in books.
“We had a very small funeral for him last year but not many people could attend because of the restrictions.
“That was really difficult so we decided to hold a Viking funeral for him on the first anniversary.
“He loved Viking films and always joked that if he went, that’s how he’d like to go.”
On the weekend of the ceremony, Andrew’s friends and family raised £3,000 for Cancer Research UK, before sailing the vessel at Cove Bay in Aberdeen on August 15.
The emotional day saw taiko drummers and a piper perform at the harbour before the ship was towed out and sailed off into the distance.
Duncan Thomson and Arthur Murdoch of the Robert the Bruce Heritage Centre in Renton, built the incredible ship after being contacted by Lorraine’s daughter Kirsty.
The group, which celebrates the life of the King of Scots and spreads the word of the role West Dunbartonshire played in his life, also have a keen interest in the Vikings and were delighted to help.
Duncan said: “We were told Andrew would have wanted to be sent to Valhalla during a Viking funeral and we were delighted to help fulfil that wish.
“One of the Artizans Arthur Murdoch is brilliant at woodwork so I contacted him.
“We made the ship, as well as the weapons he would need with him to go to Valhalla; spears, axes and swords, as well as bed rolls, skins and a horn.
“We made sure he had everything he needed for his journey.
“It took us a couple of months to build it and we sailed it on Loch Lomond to make sure it was fit for sailing.
“It was a very emotional process. A few times I found myself in tears.
“We saw there was a fantastic turn out and we are really glad we could help.”
Popular Andrew, a fund accountant, was lead vocalist for bands The Sopranos, Silver City Soul Review and After Party.
His dad Austin formerly lived in Helensburgh before moving to Aberdeen, where Andrew was raised.
Lorraine told how he was a “loving, caring and talented” man who doted on his baby boy.
She said: “We were extremely close. He was very popular and well-known on the music circuit. He was so special to everyone who knew him. The tributes which poured in for him were amazing, from his school teacher to Aberdeen FC.
“His friends have been amazing supporting Michelle and Harris, and they have made up wee memory books for Harris to read about his dad when he’s older.
“Michelle is amazing, such a wonderful girl and she has put all her energy into bringing up their son. He looks so like his dad.”
