Tributes have been pouring in for an Aberdeenshire mechanic found dead in his home.
A murder investigation has been launched into the death of Brian McKandie at his property in Badenscoth, on the outskirts of Rothienorman.
Police are continuing to investigate the incident today.
Shocked locals described Mr McKandie, said to be in his 70s, as a handyman who could fix anything.
He helped locals out with all kinds of problems, from fixing their televisions to carrying out MOTs.
One man said: “He was a quiet man, he kept himself to himself and he lived alone.
“He was a fixer, a real whiz. He was the kind of boy who, if your washing machine was written off, you could take it up to Brian, and he’d say ‘och aye, come back tomorrow at 11am’, and it’d be fixed.”
Another added: “He was a cracking bloke. I think you would have a hard job finding anybody who had a bad thing to say about him. I’m not kidding, he was a cracking bloke, always had spare time to help you out.”
Mr McKandie is said to have been discovered by a member of the public on Saturday, March 12 at Fairview Cottages.
He was last seen on Friday, March 11.
Following a post-mortem examination, police launched the murder inquiry.
Last night the cottage at Badenscoth, just a few miles north of Rothienorman, was swarming with activity as the investigation was upped and forensic teams examined the scene.
Detective chief inspector Iain Smith said: “We are keen to trace anyone who knows Mr McKandie, who may have seen him that weekend or has any information about what happened to him. He was a man who was well known in the local community’.
“Mr McKandie’s home is part of a small collection of houses in a fairly remote area and we’re looking for anyone who may have been in the area or passing through that weekend to come forward with information about anyone they may have seen in the area.
“We’re particularly interested in the hours between midday on Friday the 11th and Saturday afternoon.”
Anyone with information should contact Police Scotland on 101 or anonymously via Crimestoppers.
