Pam MacRae welcomed millions of visitors every year to Eilean Donan Castle, one of the most photographed landmarks in the country.
Now tributes have flooded in from all over the world after the popular front-of-house manager’s death on Wednesday, at the age of 73.
The flag outside the castle is flying at half-mast as a sign of the respect she was held in by colleagues, tour guides and members of the public.
Mrs MacRae spent 20 years working at the beautiful attraction on the west Highland coast, near Dornie.
She and husband Alistair – who works at the castle as a ticket collector – lived nearby in the village of Ardelve, which enjoys views of the castle.
David Win, the keeper of Eilean Donan, paid his own tribute to Mrs MacRae.
He said: “A huge and ever-present light went out in our castle life as we lost our much loved Pam after a short illness.
“For 20 years Eilean Donan was the absolute centre of her life along with her beloved husband Alistair.
“Over the years she welcomed quite literally millions of visitors to the castle, with elegance, a smile and a Highland twinkle in her eye.
“She will be hugely missed by everyone who knew her, and I’m not quite sure if our castle family will ever quite be the same again.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all the MacRae family at this terribly difficult time.”
He added that Mrs MacRae had “shown no desire to retire” from the job she loved, and had only reduced her hours to four days a week last year.
Mr Win said: “She had an exceptional way with people. She was very gentle and very kind and very elegant.
“She always went out of her way to accommodate people. She was a real hospitality professional.
“We are all devastated.”
Mrs MacRae joined Eilean Donan Castle, owned by the Clan MacRae, as reception manager, having previously worked at the nearby Loch Duich Hotel at Dornie, where she held an administration role.
Mr Win said castle staff had received a “huge response” via social media after news of Mrs MacRae’s death was announced.
Messages posted online have come from all over Scotland and the UK, as well as Australia and America.
Many people have praised her for helping with wedding arrangements at the castle.
One woman, Fiona Spence-McNeil said: “Sending heartfelt condolences to you all. She was always so professional and helpful when arranging our wedding at the castle last year and was lovely to meet her when we got there.”
And Miriam Perez Buch said: “I am so sad to read this terrible news.
“For the last 14 years her smile and kindless were always present when every summer week I visited the castle with my groups, She was family not job, I will really miss you.”
Mrs MacRae is survived by her husband, their children Alexander and Carol and several grandchildren.