People line the streets to bid final farewell to Stirling SNP councillor

Mourners stood in the streets outside Dunblane Cathedral to pay their respects to Stirling SNP councillor Graham Lambie.

The Forth and Endrick member – remembered as “always cheerful and helpful” and a “true gentleman” – died suddenly at his home in Stirling last month.

Only 20 people were allowed within the Cathedral itself for the funeral ceremony last Thursday, led by minister the Rev Colin Renwick.

Outside stood Stirling councillors from all political parties, friends, members of the public as well as representatives of local SNP branches.

Eulogies were given by Dunblane and Bridge of Allan SNP councillor Graham Houston as well as Councillor Lambie’s friend from university days Ross Ryrie.

Kirstie Wilson sang Psalm 23 and Psalm 121 during the service.

‘Farewell to Stromness’ by Peter Maxwell Davies was played on the piano by the Cathedral’s director of music Kevin Duggan – as Graham had family in Orkney - and Mr Duggan also played ‘The Gentle Light that Wakes Me’ by Phil Cunningham on organ.

Donations were requested for addiction recovery charity Forth Valley Recovery Community.

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A piper led the cortège as it made its way through Dunblane following the funeral service.

At Callander Cemetery Councillor Lambie was later buried next to his father Ian who had also been an SNP councillor for the west Stirlingshire area.

Councillors Graham Houston, Maureen Bennison, Susan McGill, Scott Farmer and former Stirling MP Steven Paterson (Stirling Observer)

On Thursday the saltire at Old Viewforth was lowered to half-mast to mark Councillor Lambie’s funeral.

Respects were also paid at the meeting of Stirling Council that day.

A piper leads the funeral procession of Stirling councillor Graham Lambie (Stirling Observer)

Provost Christine Simpson said: “Councillor Lambie worked tirelessly in the interests of his constituents and leaves a great legacy of public service.

“As well as councillor, he was a Bailie, standing in for the Provost on civic occasions, a role which he very much enjoyed and carried out with great dignity and enthusiasm.

“He was also a valued member of the Civic Panel and other committees– always cheerful and helpful.

“He will be greatly missed, not only by his fellow councillors, but also by officers and staff who knew him.”