The strain of bagpipes filled a still Angus morning on Saturday as one of the county’s best-loved sons was laid to rest.
Hundreds of mourners attended the funeral of Carnoustie haulage firm owner David Murray (66) after his death in a motorcycle accident on September 30.
A long cortege was led into Parkgrove Crematorium outside Friockheim by police escort, with the main road closed to allow a slow and solemn entrance.
Carnoustie Pipe Band, which Mr Murray helped to establish and sponsored, piped the line into the venue to Scotland The Brave, accompanied by the low thunder of motorbike engines.
Pipe Major Ian Campbell described Mr Murray as a “fantastic man” and said he would be sorely missed.
He said: “He was a great supporter of the pipe band and we have his grandchildren as members.
“He was very much instrumental in getting the band up and running and he just loved all kinds of Scottish music.”
Those who could not fit into the building gathered under a canopy outside, to hear the service conducted by the Rev Matthew Bicket from Panbride Parish Church.
Mr Murray’s daughter, Wendy Devlin, talked about her father’s role on the Carnoustie gala committee and his passion for motorbikes, as well as how he had a set of bagpipes custom-made for his grandson.
She recounted how, during the recent Pipe Band Championships in Crieff, Mr Murray was asked to lead the march of the Carnoustie Pipe Band, as part of a performance that won them the contest.
Family friend Scott Roberts also addressed the funeral, painting a picture of his friend as a “great character, who was larger than life”.
He told humorous stories about biking trips abroad and at home, which were greeted by a mixture of laughter and tears by the crowd.
He said: “What a character. What a man. What a big heart. He will be sorely missed by all who knew him.”
A truck painted white and maroon with a tartan stripe was parked in the grounds of the crematorium as friends gathered to pay their respects from 10.30am onwards.
Mr Murray was heavily involved with Panmure Black Watch Cadets and a small troop marched behind the pipe band as the family cars were led into the grounds.
Sergeant James Salmond said: “Dave always came along to anything we were doing and gave us a lot of help. We are here to show our support.”
The funeral was the largest ever to be held at Parkgrove, which has a peaceful garden area where families can lay memorial wreaths.
Police set up traffic cones along the main road to stop vehicles parking on the grass verge, with the crematorium car park busy for around half an hour after the service due to the high attendance.
Mr Bicket told the mourners present that the day should be treated as a “celebration of life”, as well as an occasion to mark the passing of a friend or family member.
Mr Murray was born in Dundee, brought up in Littleton of Airlie and attended school in Kirriemuir.
He was married in 1968 after meeting Mary, who was to become his wife, while working on a farm in the area.
His haulage firm was started 28 years ago with just one truck and has since grown to employ 25 people.