Tributes have been paid to an Angus man described as a “gentle giant”.
The body of Forfar bus driver Michael White was found in the town on Sunday following a large-scale land and air search by emergency services.
The 46-year-old’s family and co-workers have spoken of their incredible sense of loss following his death.
At her home, Mr White’s mother Betty said the family are heartbroken.
A family statement to The Courier said: “Michael was the only and most loving son of Betty and the late Dave. He was a loving brother and uncle with a heart of gold and nothing was ever too much for him to do if he was asked.
“The whole family are absolutely devastated and life will never be the same without him.”
Mr White attended Langlands Primary School in the town and then Forfar Academy, picking berries and potatoes with his sisters during school holidays.
After leaving school, he worked in a variety of jobs such as security officer in a supermarket, working in the former plant at Ross & Bonnyman in Forfar and latterly, driving buses.
Jock Petrie, owner of JP Coaches in Forfar, where Mr White worked for around eight years as a driver, paid tribute to a hard-working man who “always gave 110%”.
He said: “Michael was a very nice lad, a gentle giant.
“He was a very loyal, hard-working employee, who was also well-liked by the customers and the public.”
Mr White is survived by his mother Betty, sisters Carol, Susan, Elaine and Julie and a large extended family.
A funeral has yet to be arranged, although details will be confirmed soon, with a reception likely at his local pub afterwards.
Caledonian Bar landlady Karen Kennedy said Mr White was a skilled poker and dominoes player for her pub teams and would be “sorely missed”.