Tributes for High Road star Riggans at funeral

TRIBUTES were today paid to Scots actress Mary Riggans, best known as much-loved gossip Effie in long-running soap Take the High Road and as Susie Sweet in Balamory, at her funeral service.

Friends and family attended the funeral service for Mary Riggens. Picture: Neil Hanna

The 78-year-old died peacefully in her sleep earlier this month, holding her daughter Samantha’s hand.

Hundreds of her friends and family attended the service at Edinburgh’s Warriston Crematorium this morning.

Among her past co-stars to pay their final respects was actor Jackie Farrell, who played High Road’s Jockie McDonald. He spent time talking to Riggan’s daughter Samantha.

Another star of the popular former Scottish drama series to attend the service was Eileen McCallum, who starred as Isabel Blair.

Ms McCallum, who was a close friend of the late star, arrived at the Edinburgh crematorium with Riggans’ family.

Ms Riggans had suffered a stroke in April last year, which had left her with poor speech and movement.

She is most recognised for her role as the lovable Effie Macinnes, later McDonald, in the STV soap, which ran from the early 80s until the last episode in 2003. She also became a favourite to children throughout the country by playing Susie Sweet in Balamory.