An internationally-renowned expert on animal reproduction has been named as one of the victims of a fatal road crash.
Stewart Rhind and his colleague were travelling northbound when the car they were passengers in collided with another vehicle on the A90 Dundee-Aberdeen road, near Fordoun, on Friday.
The scientists, from agricultural research centre the James Hutton Institute, died at the scene of the crash, while the drivers of the two cars were taken to hospital with various fractures.
Last night Dr Rhind’s death was described as an “immense loss to Scottish and world science”.
Dr Rhind, of Westhill, Aberdeenshire, worked globally and had latterly collaborated with scientific teams in the US and Australia.
Emeritus professor John Robinson, one of the world’s leading experts on sheep nutrition and reproduction, had known Dr Rhind since 1974.
Prof Robinson said: “This is an immense loss to Scottish and world science. Stewart’s specialism was mammalian reproduction and his work also had a relevance to human health.
“This is such a tragedy. Stewart was such a stimulating chap to be in the company of and a nicer chap you could not find.”
Dr Rhind and his colleague, who has not yet been named, were travelling towards Aberdeen when the silver Vauxhall Astra they were in collided with a black Saab 9-3 shortly after 4pm on Friday.
Firefighters freed three casualties from the Astra, but Dr Rhind and his 42-year-old colleague could not be saved.
The 58-year-old driver was taken to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary with a spinal injury, while the 39-year-old driver of the Saab was taken to Ninewells Hospital in Dundee with wrist injuries.