The family of a fisherman who drowned off Skye is to scatter his ashes in the bay where he worked his creel boat.
Police yesterday officially confirmed a body discovered on the shore of Staffin Bay earlier this month was that of Alasdair Macleod, who went missing while fishing in the Inner Sound of Applecross, 15 miles away, on November 20.
A massive air and land search was carried out when his creel boat, the Venura, was found on rocks with the engine still running.
The 57-year-old’s family had always believed the body was that of Mr Macleod, given the description of the clothing, but dental records have now confirmed it.
On Mr Macleod’s popular blog on social media, his family said: “We had already decided that we would organise a celebration of Ali’s life in Applecross, before a private cremation in Inverness, and that we would eventually scatter his ashes in the Inner Sound.”
They plan to hold the celebration on January 4 at the Clachan Church.
The family added: “The cause of death is recorded as “drowned while creel fishing”, although we believe he had finished with the creels for the day and was on his way back to the mooring when he went overboard.
“We were told that the Varuna was travelling at around five knots when she grounded on Saint Island, which is much faster than she would have been going if Ali had been shooting creels.
“The Marine Accident Investigation Board is investigating what happened and will issue a report. This is done with the aim of producing recommendations based on what has been learned with a view to safety being improved for others as a result.”
They revealed the Varuna will be repaired before being put on the market.