Craig Hutchison (20) of Caulfield Road South, Inverness, had been angling with friends before trying to swim the loch east of Lochinver on Saturday.

Craig's Dad Hugh said: "As a family we are grateful for the huge effort from members of Craig's outdoor trip and the emergency services who all tried so hard to find him.

"From a family point of view Pamela and I have lost an irreplaceable and loving son and a great brother to Carly. Craig will be hugely missed by his family, his wide network of friends and his work colleagues.

"He was nearing the end of his BEng in Electronic and Electrical Engineering (Napier University in Edinburgh) and was enjoying working at Muir of Ord-based company Highland Control Systems Ltd on a placement.

"We have been taking comfort from the fact that Craig died doing what he loved best, being outdoors with his friends who said he was so happy that day.

"He was an outdoor loving, adventure seeking person and was extremely good-humoured. He had a huge heart and he loved his family and friends. He would help anyone and was liked by everyone we have spoken to.

"He was great fun to be with, was very positive and had so much to offer. He loved hill walking, rock climbing, fishing and camping. I shared his enthusiasm for fishing and hill walking and loved doing those things with him.

"Craig will be hugely missed by everyone who knew him."

Printer friendly version

Email this article to a friend