A pedestrian killed after he was hit by a car driven by a learner was due to become a dad in the coming weeks.
Christopher Hutchon died yesterday after the learner driver skidded and lost control on the snowy A93 at Bridge of Gairn, near Ballater.
The 37-year-old moved to the area with his wife Kirstine, who grew up in the Ballater area, to have a family.
Today, Mrs Hutchon described the IT consultant as someone with a “zest for life” and said the family were devastated at his loss.
In a statement, the 36-year-old said: “Chris had everything to live for and we are absolutely devastated by what has happened.
“We met 10 years ago and we had lived at Bridge of Gairn farm for the last three years. We were married at the farm in September 2013 and Chris was due to become a dad in the next few weeks.”
Mr Hutchon studied at St Andrews University, and loved travelling and the outdoors.
Mrs Hutchon added: “In particular, he spent a lot of time snowboarding in Morzine in the French Alps.
“We lived in Falkirk originally but had moved back to Ballater to have our family home where I grew up. In July 2014, we had set up a riding school at the farm.
“Chris was a much loved husband, son, brother, uncle and friend to many. He was a good person and would always help others. He had a great zest for life, always pursued his goals and was a very active person.”
The crash happened at about 10.30am yesterday.
The driver of the grey Skoda Fabia, was a “supervised learner”, who had been on a lesson to the west of Ballater.
The learner driver and instructor were uninjured.
Sergeant Rob Warnock, from the roads policing unit, said: “This was a tragic incident which has resulted in a 37-year-old man losing his life. Our thoughts are with his family at this time.
“Inquiries are continuing and I am looking to trace a vehicle that may have been on the A93 at the time of the collision travelling in the opposite direction of the Skoda.
“I would ask that if the driver or occupants of the vehicle saw anything or saw the Skoda prior to the collision to contact Police Scotland on 101.”