A cyclist in Inverness and a pedestrian on Skye both died on a day of tragedy on the region’s roads yesterday.
Police and ambulance crews were called to Culduthel Road in the Highland capital at noon following reports that a cyclist had taken unwell.
The man was taken to Raigmore Hospital by ambulance but later died.
Local councillor Bet McAllister said people in her Inverness Central ward had been shocked by the incident.
“It’s so sad for his family, for someone to go so quickly on such a lovely summer’s day. My thoughts are obviously with his relatives,” she said.
A 21-year-old Australian woman died, meanwhile, after being hit by a car while hitch-hiking home with her boyfriend on Skye.
Maddy Rice had been enjoying a day off work with her partner Joe Perry when the tragedy happened near the Sligachan Hotel at 1.15am.
The couple were believed to have been returning home to the luxury Kinloch Lodge hotel in Sleat, where they had been living and working.
The hotel owner said that the staff had been left “utterly devastated” by the death of the young member of their front-of-house team.
Isabella Macdonald, director of Kinloch Lodge, said: “It is absolutely heartbreaking.
“We are all utterly devastated at the tragic and sudden loss of Maddy.
“She was devoted to her wonderful partner, Joe, and our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to him and her family.
“She was a wonderful and beautiful person as well as being an incredibly hard-working member of our team and we will miss her greatly.”
Ms Rice is understood to be from Queensland, Australia, and Mr Perry from Auckland, New Zealand.
The tragedy took place on the A87, the main road across the island, near the Sligachan Hotel at 1.15am yesterday.
Ms Rice was hit by a Vauxhall car. The man who was driving was uninjured.
Councillor John Gordon, based at Portree, said: “It’s sad that a young couple on a day off from work would end in such tragedy and it’s hard to comprehend what her family are going through so far from here in Australia, but our thoughts and prayers are with them.”