Hells of a way to go

For any would-be Hell's Angel it is the ultimate final send-off. A funeral procession of 100 motorcycles behind a top-of-the-range Triumph Speed - one of the fastest bikes in the world - with a hearse carrying their coffin at its side.

Now a Leith-based funeral director is trying to make the biker's fantasy a reality by offering it to all families booking funerals. It has been used on three occasions after special requests by families of motorcycle lovers, but bikes had to be loaned from funeral directors outside Edinburgh.
Now McKenzie & Millar, in Great Junction Street, Leith, is offering bikes instead of the traditional long black cars to anyone who wants to book it.

As well as the Triumph, customers will be offered a Suzuki, Hayabusa and Harley-Davidson.

Andrew Combe, funeral director at McKenzie & Millar, said: "We expect people who are motorbike fans, whose family want an appropriate send-off, will be keen on this idea.

"It has very seldom been used in Scotland so it would be popular with anyone who wants something a bit different. It would certainly make a big final effect. It's the sort of thing that when it happens people will all talk about it and take pictures of it, so I think it will really catch on when people start seeing it. We try to provide as many different options as we can for our funerals. We look for a unique tribute for a unique life and making funerals unique to a person can make a big difference. That is why this sort of thing appeals to people."