Who Am I?

Hello, my name is Fiona Macalister and I am a humanist celebrant based in Kintyre, Scotland.

I am a farmer's wife, mum to 4 grown up children and a Granny to 1 special boy and 3 mad dogs.

I was a primary teacher for 22 years before finding myself on the path to celebrant training.

I have been a committee member on the Mairi Semple Cancer Fund since 2010 and I am currently their Treasurer. I also coach mini rugby with my daughter on a Wednesday night. I like travelling to explore new locations and shopping is my guilty pleasure!

My hobbies include running, exercising and swimming in the sea!

Helping people and children has always been important to me.

Treating people as you would like them to treat you is my motto.

People are at the heart of all the services I do.

Why Did I Become a Celebrant?

I knew that whatever career came after teaching it had to be one where I could help people. I wanted to support people through life's journeys no matter how hard those journeys are.

Having attended many funerals all over Scotland, performed by excellent ministers and humanists, I was aware a celebrant service was lacking in Kintyre. Services where the people are the heart of the ceremony and I aim to create a service that is more personalised and exactly what a family wants for their loved one. I want to create services that are just right for you and your family.

I trained with Annie Scrimgeour and Neil Dorward at the distinguished Celebrant Training Academy Scotland, passing the course with Distinction. I then started my humanist journey with Bryan Begg and Louise McAllister from Humanity Scotland and am delighted to be part of their Humanity Is team.

I think my attention to detail and drive to do things to the best of my ability helped me throughout my training and I will be using these skills as I work with families.

It is a privilege to be able to create ceremonies that are unique to the person whose life has been lost or the life moments you are celebrating, ceremonies that reflect who we are, how we have touched those around us and capture memories to be remembered forever.