Hundreds of people joined the family and friends of a popular Angus man for an emotional journey in his memory – just days before what would have been his 29th birthday.
A huge crowd of motorcyclists, locals and loved ones gathered in Arbroath’s Victoria Park on Saturday morning for a two-wheeled tribute to Steven Donaldson, who was murdered at Kinnordy Loch in June 2018.
The motorcyclists took part in a pilgrimage across Angus, starting in Mr Donaldson’s hometown, passing through Forfar and on to Kirriemuir.
And in an incredible and emotional display of solidarity, locals lined the streets of Arbroath, Forfar, Kirriemuir and other communities along the pre-planned route to applaud those taking part.
Many stood in the gardens of their rural homes and in lay-bys, braving heavy rain, to cheer on the motorcyclists.
Shops and businesses in Kirriemuir closed their doors as a mark of respect during the event.
The B951 Kirriemuir to Kirkton of Kingoldrum road was left blocked in both directions as the group of motorcyclists and motorists arrived at Kinnordy Loch, where family and friends held a service for Mr Donaldson.
One motorcyclists parked up on the road described the event as a display of “humanity against inhumanity”.
Fresh flowers were laid at the oak tree planted in his memory at the nature reserve’s car park along with a wreath paying tribute to the day’s events which read: “Motorcycle run in memory of Steven Donaldson 23/07/1990 – 07/06/18.” It also included a photograph of a bike.
After the ceremony Mr Donaldson’s friends loudly revved the engines of their motorcycles in a final tribute before heading back to Arbroath.
On May 30 at the High Court in Edinburgh, murderers Steven Dickie and Callum Davidson were given life sentences with minimum terms of 23 and 24 years respectively for the “savage and depraved” brutality which ended the life of 27-year-old Mr Donaldson.
The oil worker’s former girlfriend Tasmin Glass – who was convicted of culpable homicide – was sentenced to 10 years in prison.
Billy Connell, organiser of the Steven Donaldson Memorial Bike Run, said: “I didn’t know Steven. I wanted to do this just to give everybody who wanted to do something a show of support and that is exactly what has happened here.
“The majority of people here, most of them don’t know Steven. So it just shows you how much people wanted to help. You could tell a lot of people wanted to do something.
“I cannot believe the amount of bikes that have turned up.”
Mr Connell said the event was also a show of defiance.
He added: “Nobody could believe how far those people (the killers) went. To be honest with you the time they got will never be long enough. You can’t let people like that win. There’s not going to be a turn out like this for them.
“This is all for Steven and his family. This is all us to try and remember Steven and try and do something good for him.”
