Friends of a young cyclist killed in a tragic accident gathered yesterday to remember him on what would have been his 17th birthday.
Keiran McKandie was killed in March when his mountain bike was struck by a car outside Elgin.
At the time, his parents said the Elgin Academy pupil “lived, breathed, slept and dreamt” about the sport.
Yesterday, his pals rode through Monaughty woods to his family home at Miltonduff in honour of him.
Keiran’s mum, Sandra McKandie, said she was touched that her son’s friends had decided to remember him on the emotional day.
Mrs McKandie said: “Mountain biking was Keiran’s passion, and his friends being here on his birthday means a lot to us.”
Keiran’s family will stage a celebration of his life tomorrow night, to mark his birthday weekend.
They will hold a fundraising barbecue and auction at Miltonduff Village Hall on Saturday evening.
Keiran’s friends have prepared a 12-minute video of the teenager that will be screened to visitors.
The bash will draw to a close with Dashing White Sergeant and Strip the Willow dances, as a nod to Keiran’s passion for music.
Mrs McKandie added: “Last Hogmanay, Keiran was up doing traditional dancing with children of a friend of mine.
“He was getting me to join in as well, he loved music of all sorts and was very proud of being Scottish.”
She added: “We want this to be a real celebration of Keiran, everyone is welcome to come whether they knew him or not.”
Prizes and goods worth more than £7,500 are up for grabs in a raffle and auction.
The huge range of lots includes experiences on Typhoon and Tornado simulator machines at RAF Lossiemouth – which are not available to purchase.
His parents are hoping to buy defibrillators worth £1,400 for each of the three roads traffic policing vehicles which cover the Elgin area.
Keiran died on March 20, and it took paramedics nearly half an hour to reach him – almost four times the Grampian average for emergencies.
Doors on Saturday will open at 6pm, and bidding will begin at 7.30pm.
People who are unable to attend can make donations online by searching for Keiran McKandie on the JustGiving website.