A Highland councillor hailed as a “generous man” with “unfailing good humour” has died.
George Cruickshank, who represented the Aird and Loch Ness ward, died in the early hours of Sunday morning at home.
The Scottish Conservative and Unionist member was 74.
Mr Cruickshank was born in Newcastle in 1946, and moved to Fort Augustus when he was 15.
He met his wife Christine in 1966, marrying her in 1967, and they had stayed together in Drumnadrochit ever since.
Mr Cruickshank ran the West End Garage for many years before he became a Highland councillor in May 2017.
He was a father to Lynn, and a brother to Norman and Gordon.
The leader of Highland Council, Margaret Davidson, said: “George was a good friend and a cheerful, supportive colleague to me personally.
“He was a generous man with a rich life experience and unfailing good humour.
“I know he will be missed in the council chamber and in his community of Glen Urquhart.”
Bill Lobban, the convener of Highland Council added: “George was a very popular member whom I got to know really well over the last three years.
“He often brought a sense of reality to the council chamber.
“He will be sorely missed by his colleagues, but most especially by his family and close friends who have our deepest sympathies.”
The cause of death was not known last night.