14 photos showing John Lennon's links to Scotland on 42nd anniversary of his assassination
John Lennon was shot dead on the night of December 8, 1980, as he and Yoko Ono were returning to their New York apartment. Forty two years on, we take a pictorial look back at the Beatles legend’s links to Scotland
In a letter written shortly before his death, John Lennon said he longed for Scotland more than his native England.
The late music icon had a deep affection for Scotland that persisted long after he left for New York in the early 1970s.
As a young boy, the future Beatle would often travel up from Liverpool to come and stay with his aunt and uncle in their terraced house in upmarket Murrayfield before heading up north to the family croft in Durness.
John even continued to visit at the height of Beatlemania; residing at his cousin Stan’s house in Currie after a famous Beatles show at Edinburgh’s ABC cinema in 1964.
Lennon’s last trip to Scotland in 1969 ended with an unexpected stay at the Lawson Memorial Hospital near Golspie. He had been travelling north in an Austin Maxi with wife Yoko, his son Julian and Yoko’s daughter Kyoko, when the car crashed near Loch Eriboll in Sutherland. All except Julian required stitches.
On the 42th anniversary of his tragic death, we take a look at 14 places north of the border that have a link to John Lennon.
As a young boy, the future Beatle would often travel up from Liverpool to come and stay with his aunt and uncle in their terraced house in upmarket Murrayfield before heading up north to the family croft in Durness.
5. Durness Memorial
The John Lennon memorial in Durness, which recognises the former Beatle's familial links and childhood visits to the Sutherland region. Photo: Creative Commons
6. The family croft
The croft overlooking Durness in Sutherland once used by the Lennon family. The croft was owned by John's uncle-in-law Bert Sutherland and as a youngster the late music icon would visit often. Photo: Donald MacLeod
7. Smoo Cave
Smoo Cave, the large sea cave in Durness in Sutherland, where a young John Lennon would go exploring with his cousin Stan Parkes when they were youngsters. Photo: Creative Commons
8. Familhy affair
John Lennon and Yoko Ono, with their children, Julian, left, and Kyoko, on holiday at Durness, in Sutherland, in 1969. PIC: PA. Photo: PA