Bette MacDonald Obituary
We are extremely saddened to learn of the passing of former District 15 Ladies Secretary and Bowls Scotland Honorary Member, Bette MacDonald.
It is with great sadness that we inform you of the death of Bette MacDonald on Monday 26 January 2026.
Bette was born on 14 March 1928, living a full and varied life. Her early family life was spent in India, where her father was posted in the Military. During WW2, she was in England moving to Scotland to get married to Alastair and have a family. They also owned a croft in North Uist in the Outer Hebrides, which she visited every year until quite recently.
Bette was a keen bowler starting in the 1970s at a time when many Bowling Clubs thought that wives and lady bowlers were there to make teas/meals at Gents matches and competitions. She encouraged young and new players and became a qualified Coach and in time also became a qualified Umpire.
Her organisation skills came to the fore when she got involved in arranging and running the annual City of Edinburgh Open. Bowlers came from all over Scotland to play in this week-long Singles and Pairs knockout, run using seven bowling greens all over Edinburgh. In the Competition’s hay day, there were more than 500 entries to organise - making the draw, coordinate greens, timing etc and publishing a booklet.
This set her in good stead to take over District 15 Secretary job in 1998. Something she excelled at for 23 years, only giving up, reluctantly, in 2022 when she was 94. Once the greens were arranged, she then made the draws to issue to all the D15 clubs. When D15 Ladies moved to weekend games only, to assist working ladies, she organised Umpires and attended Finals Days to personally hand out the National Finals awards and enjoy the hospitality. Bette volunteered to help at National Finals every year while supporting her own Ladies.
She was well known throughout Edinburgh and beyond. She encouraged and developed lady players to take on Committee roles and get the most out of their memberships. Bette was a member of a few clubs in Edinburgh, both Private and Council, but in 1990 she settled to become a member of Craigmillar Park BC.
Bette was granted Honorary Membership of Bowls Scotland in 2023. She was a great organiser, strong willed and highly motivated.
Out with bowling she loved her cats and her garden where she knew every flower and plant.
Her contribution to bowling will live long in the memory of everybody who knew her. Bowls Scotland would like to pass on our sincere condolences to Bette's family and friends at this sad time.
Bette’s funeral is being held on Thursday 19 February 3 pm at Mortonhall Crematorium (Main Chapel), Edinburgh.