A Dunfermline hillwalker who died in the Cairngorms on Tuesday has been described as a “perfect gentleman“ by his son.
Norman Smith, 61, was pronounced dead on arrival at a hospital in Inverness after being airlifted by helicopter from near the summit of Beinn Bhrotain, 13 miles south of Aviemore.
Mr Smith collapsed while ascending the Munro with a group of youngsters in his capacity as a Duke of Edinburgh’s Awards assessor.
His son Douglas, 35, paid tribute, saying: “He was such a perfect gentleman. He would do anything for anyone. He was such a fit man so this has come as a shock to us.
“He lived for hillwalking and had just retired from Longannet power station. He had everything to look forward to.
“It is unbelievable that he has gone. He was such a great man.”
Mr Smith, a father of two, had been accompanying a group of youngsters up Beinn Bhrotain on Tuesday afternoon when he collapsed close to the summit of the 3,800ft Munro.
He had been assessing teenagers participating in the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme, a role he had undertaken for the past eight years.
The charity said: “It is with great sadness that the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award has learned of the death of one of our accredited assessors.
“At the time he was supporting a group of young people completing their gold Duke of Edinburgh’s Award expedition.
“Our thoughts are with his family at this sad time.”
Mr Smith was also a well-known member of the community and was a Boys’ Brigade officer and a member of Pitreavie Athletics Club.
A fitness fanatic, he regularly took part in the Highland Cross duathlon, raising money for charity in the process.
He was also a respected church elder at Dunfermline Abbey and was preparing to celebrate his 40th wedding anniversary to wife May next year.
The Rev MaryAnn Rennie said: “I have only been here nine months but he was a well-liked and quiet man.
“People appreciated him. I thought he was lovely and I know that many here will miss him.”