I will never get over not being there to say final farewell to my father

Eldest son says he can't forgive his brother for not telling him about burial of their dad Ken Buchanan

- MARCELLO MEGA

THE ELDEST son of boxing legend Ken Buchanan has told of his heartbreak after missing his father's burial.

Buchanan, considered Scotland's greatest-ever fighter, died, aged 77, at a nursing home in Edinburgh on April 1.

Son Raymond was with the family at a public memorial service last Tuesday, which saw hundreds pay tribute at St Giles' Cathedral in Edinburgh.

But, in a cruel snub, he was not invited to the private family burial two days later.

Raymond said: "I'll never get over not being there to say a final farewell to my dad.

"When my granddad Tommy, my dad's dad, was buried, I had a cord to help lower him into the ground. I expected to do the same for my dad, who was also my hero." Raymond claims his younger brother Mark failed to tell him about the burial.

He said: "I can't believe my wee brother buried my dad without me.

"I've always tried to keep a relationship going with Mark and even told him I loved him a few days earlier at our dad's funeral.

"But I have to accept he doesn't have any feelings for me and I’ll not be talking to him again.” Last year, Raymond told the Record about learning that his sporting hero as a young boy, Ken Buchanan, was actually his dad.

Ken had dated Raymond’s mum Maria in the 60s but they split before he was born. Ken went on to marry second wife Carol and they had two children, Mark and Karen.

Since learning as a child that Ken was actually his dad, the pair developed a close bond. Raymond spoke to his dad just three days before his death and says they were as close as ever towards the end of Ken’s life.

He added: “He wasn’t himself, obviously but still knew who I was and I told him I loved him.

“The last thing he said to me was, ‘I love you, son.’