A retired farmer who was killed in a three-car crash in Moray at the weekend has been described as “much-loved family man”.
Patrick Pirie, 81, was driving his maroon Ford Fiesta on the A920 Dufftown to Huntly road on Saturday when the incident happened.
Mr Pirie, from Convalmore, was about six miles from Dufftown, at Corsemaul, when his car was involved in a collision with a blue Volkswagen Golf and a white Renault Twingo at around 4pm.
Mr Pirie was taken by ambulance to Dr Grays Hospital in Elgin, where he later died as a result of his injuries.
The 22-year-old male driver of the Renault Twingo was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with serious injuries, while the 26-year old male driver of the Volkswagen Golf was treated for minor injuries at scene.
The road was closed for several hours while accident investigators worked at the scene.
Last night, Mr Pirie’s family said they were “deeply saddened” by his death and said that he would be “sorely missed”.
A statement, issued by police on behalf of the family, said: “We are deeply saddened and shocked by what has happened.
“Patrick started work in the Forgue area, moved to Speyside and finally settled in Dufftown.
“He worked in farming all his life, initially as a stockman but mostly as a shepherd.
“His passion was farming and he worked from his teenage years until well into his seventies.
“He was quite a character and particularly enjoyed the marts and catching up with his farming friends. On Saturday he had been at the mart in Huntly and had been in good humour.
“In his spare time, he enjoyed Scottish music particularly the accordion, fiddle and pipes.
“He was a much-loved family man and will be sorely missed by us all.”
Mr Pirie is survived by his wife, Kate, his four children — Jim, Graham, Joyce and Davie — ten grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.