A young north DJ who raised more than £25,000 for charity in just one year has died.
Ross Lyall, who suffered from type one diabetes, was last night described as a “treasured” son and brother, and as “one in a million” by friends.
The 30-year-old died on Saturday, after spending five days in intensive care at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness. It is thought his death was caused by his diabetes.
Just days before the tragedy, Mr Lyall had posted online about how much he was looking forward to playing at the Groove Cairngorm music festival this weekend as part of the well-known dance act Filth DJs.
Yesterday his father Dougie said that the family were “shocked” by what had happened, adding: “He was a wonderful brother to his two sisters, Claire and Jennifer, and never argued with anyone and he was a proud and treasured son and brother who always had a smile on his face.
“He had a great sense of humour and always brightened up the room. To me he was like a mate. He was a gem of a boy and will be sorely missed.”
The lifelong Caledonian Thistle fan was diagnosed with diabetes when he was 15.
Since then he has been an active fundraiser for Diabetes UK, as he was determined to give something back in recognition of the care he received from the NHS.
In October last year he walked the Great Wall of China with six friends, who called themselves The China Dolls and Ross, and raised more than £25,000 for the charity. The group has now been nominated for The Diabetes UK Inspire Awards next month for “outstanding contribution to fundraising.”
Mr Lyall was an engineering team leader for Scotrail, and yesterday his family said that he “loved” his job.
Before leaving school and taking an apprenticeship with the train operator he spent a year as head boy at Inverness Royal Academy.
On Sunday, travelling Caley Thistle supporters and close friends organised a heartwarming round of applause for the 30th minute of the club’s away game to Hibernian at Easter Road.
Mum Sandra Lyall added: “We have been overwhelmed by the amount of messages and what people are saying about Ross. They are all talking about his character and personality and how he was such a nice guy. We did not realise just how popular he was.
“His other love in life was his dog, Zeus, a Tamaskin which is similar to a husky.”
Mr Lyall and his fellow musician Andrew McGibbon, formed Filth DJs in 2008 after meeting at the former popular city nightclub Motion on Rose Street.
They played together three times each at RockNess and Belladrum, as well as Groove Loch Ness Festival and at Ibiza Rocks Hotel and Highlander Bar in the European dance capital.
They were regulars at The Ironworks venue on Academy Street and performed with legendary DJ Green Velvet in 2012 and 2015.
Filth DJs also supported the likes of Paul Van Dyk, Zane Lowe, Heidi and 2manydjs in their time together.
Last night Mr McGibbon said talks have already started with organisers at the Ironworks venue about staging a DJ tribute night in memory of his friend.
He added: “He was one in a million. It’s often said but that is quite apt in this case. He just get on with everyone and was a really likeable, friendly guy, who was larger than life and always liked to party.”
Mr Lyall died on Saturday at 1.55pm after spending five days in the intensive care unit at Raigmore Hospital.
He was surrounded by his family, as well as his Filth music playing in the background and his beloved Caley Thistle scarf by his side.
