The parents of a Barra schoolgirl seriously injured in the Manchester Arena terror attack have revealed that she has finally returned home.
Laura MacIntyre, 15, was in hospital in Manchester and later in Glasgow where she has been treated for serious hand and leg injuries since the blast in May.
She had been attending an Ariana Grande concert with friend Eilidh MacLeod, 14, who was later named as one of 22 people killed in the attack at the Manchester Arena.
Yesterday, her parents Michael and Nan were finally able to bring her back to the family home near Castlebay.
They paid tribute to the nurses and doctors across the country who have worked to treat Laura since the blast.
In a statement, they said: “We are delighted that Laura has been able to return home to Barra.
“She continues to amaze us every day with her strength and bravery and we’ve looked forward to this day for a long time.
“We’d like to thank everyone who has helped Laura and our family get here, from the first responders to the doctors and nurses in Manchester and Glasgow, and Ronald McDonald charity who supported us while we were away.
“We now want to return to as much of a normal life as possible and would appreciate time and privacy to focus on Laura’s long-term recovery.”
On Monday, The Press and Journal reported how Laura had been taking major steps in her bid to return home to the Outer Hebrides and was now able to walk short distances.
Mr MacIntyre paid tribute to his daughter’s determination and said she had defied all expectations with her remarkable recovery.
He added: “They were originally setting her weekly goals but she was breaking them in just a few days, sometimes even just one day.
“She’s always done her best at everything. We are so proud of her.”
Eilidh’s parents, who have publicly issued their support to Laura and her family, are reportedly to discuss plans for a memorial to their daughter with council bosses on the island.
A spokesman for the authority said: “Work is ongoing to determine how this is most sensitively and appropriately addressed.”