A candlelight vigil is being held at an Aberdeen church tonight to give people the opportunity to mourn the tragic death of a 16-year-old schoolboy.
The Rev Ewen Gilchrist of Cults Parish Church said the memorial event would be held at 8pm to allow the friends and family of Bailey Gwynne to come together in their grief and reflect on a life cut tragically short.
The doors of the building, located on North Deeside Road just 300 yards from Cults Academy, remained open late into the night yesterday to provide space for the community to come together to try and comprehend what happened.
Visitors of faith and no faith came to say a prayer, speak to the minister and youth worker or simply be silent in a place of refuge.
Gentle music was played and tea was on offer.
The church will reopen at 9am today.
Mr Gilchrist said: “There is a sense of uselessness after such an event but it feels right to open our doors to offer a safe place, a quiet place, a place of prayer, whatever people want it to be.
“The church is warm and safe with friendly faces.”
Mr Gilchrist said there was a real sense of “shock and horror” in the community at what happened.
“The academy is a very important part of this parish and the wider community,” he added.
“Its academic and sporting successes have meant a lot to many people so a tragedy like this creates shock waves.
“Most of all our thoughts and prayers are with Bailey’s family who must be devastated by today’s events.
“Our hearts and prayers go to a household that must be bewildered by what has happened.”