A Highland community has been left “devastated” by the death of a popular mum-of-three in a road crash.
The woman, named locally as Sharon Eccleson, died when her car hit a tree on the B9169 Muir of Ord to Culbokie road at Drumvournie.
Friends described her as “a beautiful person” who “always had a smile on her face”.
Mrs Eccleson lived in Logan Way, Muir of Ord, with her husband George and children, Connor, Danielle and Kyle.
The couple were only married last August.
It is understood she was heading towards the Culbokie junction on the A9 Inverness to Thurso road when the accident happened at about 11.30pm on Wednesday night.
The Toyota Yaris appeared to have veered across the carriageway before leaving the road and hitting a tree on the opposite side.
Police closed the route for more than four hours to allow crash investigators to examine the scene.
Officers are now appealing for witnesses to the incident to come forward.
Mrs Eccleson’s family were too upset to speak about the tragedy yesterday.
However, friends and colleagues in Muir of Ord said they were shocked at news of her death.
Local resident Ruth Burnett, 22, said she had known Mrs Eccleson for several years.
She said: “She was a happy lady. She was so bubbly and always had a smile on her face.
“I was devastated to hear about the accident. It is a tragedy for everybody here. Everyone knew her, she was just lovely and a really nice lady.”
Mrs Eccleson worked as a customer service advisor at Serco and also worked part-time as a delivery driver for the Khan Tandoori in Muir of Ord.
A colleague at the takeaway was too upset to speak.
The business will be closed until Saturday as a mark of respect.
By yesterday afternoon, the base of the tree was covered in flowers laid by friends and family.
One tribute read simply: “To Sharon, a loving mother”.
Another bore the message: “Dad is missing his little girl and mum her best friend”.
A bouquet laid by relatives said: “Gone but will never be forgotten”, and another from a friend paid tribute to: “A great loss and a beautiful person”.
Farmer Derek Hannan owns the fields around the crash site and said there had been at least two crashes into the same tree.
Mr Hannan, of nearby Drumvournie Farm said: “It’s so sad. She is not the first person to hit that tree.”
Anyone who witnessed the crash is asked to contact police on 101.