Villagers mourn fisherman's death
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AS officials investigate the drowning of a prawn fisherman in Loch Shieldaig, the small community is left trying to make sense of what happened.
Duncan Matheson is understood to have slipped and fallen into the water while trying to climb into his fishing boat.
The 62-year-old father-of-three is believed to have been attempting to cross from his dingy when the accident happened on Tuesday morning.
Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh Councillor Derek MacLeod said it was always so difficult when somebody goes to work in the morning and does not return.
"Locals are saying this has cast a real cloud over the village, particularly after another fisherman in Applecross died just last year," he said.
"Fishing is a dangerous occupation and the risks are always there. Things can happen so quickly. I sympathise with the family in their loss in such tragic circumstances."
The Stornoway-based Coastguard search-and-rescue helicopter was called out the scene, alongside the Applecross, Gairloch and Lochewe Coastguard Rescue Teams and Portree and Kyle lifeboats.
Tributes have been paid on social media.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: "Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances, although the death is not believed to be suspicious.
"His next of kin are aware and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal."
The accident comes less than a year after the death of Applecross fisherman Alasdair Macleod.
The prawn fisherman was reported missing on November 20 after his boat, Varuna, was found on rocks north of Applecross Bay.
His body was found on the shoreline at Staffin.
