Andrew Ure, the lead singer of Falkirk band The Ray Summers, has died in a hillwalking accident on Ben Vane near Loch Lomond on Hogmanay, just one day after celebrating his 41st birthday. The father-of-two was reported missing and his body was discovered by mountain rescue teams shortly before midnight.
Ure's partner, Linsey Waddell, paid tribute online, saying: 'On your birthday, you wanted to look at the stars with me. Little did I know, the next day you would be one of those stars. You were my guiding light and the biggest star of all.' His brother David added: 'So many people have lost a part of their world as he meant so much to many! Heartbroken doesn't even come close.'
Ure was also a successful entrepreneur, co-founding the annual Vibration music festival in Falkirk, which was rebranded Falkirk Fest last year. He owned the Wee Whisky Shop in Linlithgow and a cafe in Grangemouth. The Wee Whisky Shop described his death as a 'profound sadness' and said he was 'irreplaceable'.
Police Scotland confirmed that officers and Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team attended the scene and pronounced Ure dead. There are no suspicious circumstances, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal. The Ray Summers were known for supporting acts such as Paolo Nutini and Doves, and Ure's passing has been described as a 'huge loss to the Scottish music scene'.
