Tributes to Philippa Grant of Rothiemurchus after tragic Slochd crash on A9 in Highlands
Highland News and Media has been told by local sources that the tragic victim of the latest A9 fatal crash was Philippa Grant, who with husband Johnnie owned and ran Rothiemurch Estate for so many successful and enterprising years.
Police Scotland have not formally identified any of the casualties in the accident, which happened just south of Inverness at around 8pm and involved a car and a bus, but reports have grown through the day that one of the strath's true 'movers and shakers' had died in the incident.
Highland Council Convener and local councillor Bill Lobban told the Strathy: "I have just heard the incredibly sad news.
"My thoughts are with Johnnie and the family, they must be devastated.
"Philippa was a powerhouse of the local community for many years and her loss is immeasurable."
Others have been sharing their shock, including fellow councillor John Bruce.
Another long-term friend of the family, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the Strathy that it was a family member who had confirmed that Mrs Grant – more formally the Countess of Dysart – had lost her life in last night's crash.
She was 73.
It was in 1971 that Wendy Philippa Chance MBE, sister of the countertenor Michael Chance CBE, married Johnnie Grant, 13th Earl of Dysart and 17th Laird of Rothiemurchus, which has been in his family's ownership since the 1540s.
They have three children, Lady Louisa Katherine Lindsay (b. 1975), James Patrick Grant, Lord Huntingtower (b. 1977) and Lady Alexandra Rose Grant (b. 1985).
We will have more on this story later.
