A young schoolboy from the Highlands has died suddenly on New Year's Day, prompting an outpouring of grief and support from his local community. Mason Neal, 11, from Staxigoe near Wick in Caithness, was taken unwell at home and rushed to Caithness General Hospital, where he later passed away.
His mother, Lucy, paid a heartfelt tribute to her son on social media, describing him as her “loving, caring, bright, cheeky” and “handsome little man”. She wrote: “Reality hasn't sunk in yet. To say I'm devastated, heartbroken and utterly destroyed doesn't even come close to how I, how we are feeling. On the 1st of January 2026, we said goodbye to our boy, my Mason, as he closed his eyes for the last time.”
In her tribute, she added: “For now hold your loved ones a little tighter and a little longer, for my loving, caring, bright, cheeky handsome little man, Mason. 4,322 days with you will never be enough, my Mason – I want you back, we want you back! Love you more. Forever 11.”
The local community has rallied around the family, with an online fundraising campaign raising more than £11,000 to support them. A message on the GoFundMe page said: “A small group of us in the Staxigoe community would like to raise money to support a grieving, local family. Mason Neal, age 11 suddenly died on New Year's Day. His mum, Lucy and big sister Phoebe are devastated and need our support.”
Police Scotland confirmed that officers were called at around 11.10am on 1 January to a report that a young boy had taken unwell in Staxigoe. He was taken by ambulance to Caithness General Hospital, where he died later that day. A spokesperson said: “There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
