Huge turnout expected at Ross man's funeral
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A HUGE turnout is expected today (Friday) for the funeral of a Ross businessman and father-of-two who died in a tragic road accident.
Noel Gilbert was fatally injured after being struck by a van as he walked on the A9 not far from Dornoch in the early hours of Monday, August 15.
Mr Gilbert had been on a short weekend break at Grannie’s Heilan Hame, the well-known Sutherland caravan park north of Dornoch.
The 40-year-old, who with his wife Marie ran the family business, Gilbert Motors, in Dingwall, lived in Woodgrove Place, Inverness.
Mr Gilbert’s funeral will take place at noon in St Clement’s Church of Scotland in Dingwall and then to Inverness Crematorium.
Mr Gilbert’s family notice described him as an "amazing and fabulous and devoted and loving husband to Marie," and a father who had dedicated his life to his boys Cash and Zane, who adored him.
He is also survived by his parents Fraser and Donella who live in Dingwall, and brother Drew.
Mr Gilbert was also described as a treasured grandson of Jean and the late William Gilbert, formerly a director of Ness Motors, Inverness, and Mary and the late Donald Macleman of Avoch.
The poignant notice also stated that Mr Gilbert was "a brilliant friend to everyone who knew him", and ended: "The world has lost a cool dude."
His family are well known in Dingwall and Inverness and community leaders expressed shock and sadness at the news earlier this week.
Among those paying tribute were Dingwall Highland councillor Margaret Paterson who said that Mr Gilbert was "well loved" and highly thought of in the town.
She added: "It is such a tragedy, and it is going to be very hard for Noel’s family and friends to come to terms with what happened.
"It will be a huge funeral because the family were so well known.
"Noel was such a nice lad and quite a character. He was great company and everyone who met him liked him."
All friends are invited to Mr Gilbert’s funeral today and donations, if desired, will go towards the Highland Hospice and Highland Skate Parks Association.
