Communities from across the Highlands are mourning the loss of hill walker and guide Andy Davidson
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Communities from across the Highlands are mourning the loss of a hill walker and guide.
The family of Andy Davidson (41), of Up and Doon Guides a business owner and mountain guide, announced his suicide on Facebook, telling people to talk to each other.
Mr Davidson was well known among hill climbers and within the Highlands, he was based in Fort William.
In a post on social media, his family said: "It is with great sadness that we share the news that Andy has taken his own life.
"Anybody who knew Andy will know he was a loving, free-spirited and caring son, brother, uncle and friend.
"He loved spending time in the hills, sharing those adventures and stories with others.
"Andy shall forever remain part of the hills. While we are still in shock and coping with Andy’s death, we don’t want Andy to be forgotten, share the tales of his stories, raise a glass for Andy, think of him next time you summit a Munro and remember the good times we all had, he may be gone but he will never be forgotten."
Mr Davidson is described as spending a lifetime exploring the Highlands.
He started climbing in the Deeside hills and walking in the Cairngorms as a young boy and teenager with his father.
His horizons eventually grew, and it took him to other parts of the Highlands where the landscapes were alien and jagged from gentle rural Aberdeenshire and the vast horizons and skies of the Cairngorms.
Due to his passion for the hills he completed a number of the long distance routes including the Cape Wrath Trail.
He climbed his first Munro Round in 2010.
His family continued: "Mental health is something a lot of people struggle with including Andy and we feel it is only right to use this moment to mention that if you feel like you can’t cope please speak out, ask for help, talk to a friend, do not suffer in silence, you will not die because you talked about suicide, be open and honest, share how you feel, there is always someone to listen, the Samaritans are available day or night if you have nobody to talk to https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/talk-us-phone/.
"Visit that friend, pick up the phone, keep an eye on loved ones, don’t take “am ok” as an answer always dig deeper, you could make a difference.
"If you would like to make a donation to Support in Mind Scotland I am sure this would mean a lot to Andy.
"Details around funeral arrangements will follow in due course."
They confirmed that his dog Jura would be going to live with his father.
A spokeswoman for Mikeysline paid tribute to Mr Davidson.
She said: ’Today we've learnt of the tragic loss of another man in the Highlands of Scotland, to suicide.
"Another precious light has gone out.
"We at Mikeysline are here for you through our text line and drop in services."
