An investigation has been launched after a horrific crash left rising rally star John MacCrone seriously injured and his navigator dead.
Mr McCrone and co-driver Andrew Mort were competing in the Mull Rally when they crashed into a field on Saturday.
Emergency services raced to help the friends, but 47-year-old Mr Mort died at the scene.
Mr MacCrone – who won the rally in 2013 – was airlifted to hospital in Glasgow with serious injuries, although he is now in a stable condition.
The rally was abandoned in the wake of the tragedy, but yesterday hundreds of fans and competitors gathered to pay tribute to Mr Mort during an emotional walk.
The celebration walk traditionally marks the event of the event, but Mr Mort’s family requested it should go-ahead as planned to honour him.
His daughter, Olivia Mort, commented on the Mull Rally Facebook page saying she was sorry she and brother George would not be able to take part, as they were unable to get to Scotland in time.
She added: “We hope everyone remembers dad doing what he loved the most.”
Led by lone silent piper and followed immediately by three rally cars, the 1,000-strong group walked in silence through the main street of Tobermory.
Eight-times Mull Rally winner Callum Duffy – a cousin of 26-year-old Mr MacCrone – read out a poem written reflecting on the weekend.
The group also remembered 41-year-old driver Chris Lawson, from Otley, who died suddenly last Monday.
Afterwards, course clerk Iain Campbell said: “The tragic events of Saturday have left an indelible mark on everyone associated with Mull and the sport we all love, rallying.
“Naturally we, the organisers of the event, are deeply saddened by the tragic incident and send our condolences to the family and friends of Andrew, and offer our best wishes to John for a full recovery.
“The statement of support today by the people of Mull and the wider rally family — not just from Scotland but from across the rest of the UK who formed part of the 150-crew entry — emphasises the strength there is in our sport.”
Mr MacCrone and Mr Mort, both of Dervaig, were on the second stage of the day, which follows the north shoreline of Loch Kinloch, when their Subaru Impreza crashed off the course at about 1.10pm.
A statement from Mull Rally said: “The event organisers and relevant authorities are working closely with Police Scotland to establish precisely what happened.
“Road policing officers have begun an inquiry into the circumstances surrounding the incident.”
Police yesterday appealed for any spectators who had been taking videos or pictures at the time of the incident to come forward to help them piece together what had happened.
Sergeant Archie McGuire, of the local roads policing unit, is leading the inquiry and said: “For the spectators and participants of the annual Mull Rally, this has been a desperately saddening event. We are working closely with the event organisers in investigating the incident.
“Specialist officers were at the scene and have begun the process of determining the circumstances which have led to this crash.
“As we have confirmed, Andy Mort, aged 47 and from the Isle of Mull, has died as a result of this incident. Specialist officers are supporting his family during this difficult time.
“John MacCrone, aged 26 and also from the Isle of Mull, was taken to the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital to receive treatment for serious injuries.
“We thank those who have been in contact with police at the scene to pass on information and to give statements.
“We would be grateful to receive any mobile phone footage that spectators may have as part of our ongoing inquiries.”