Home   News   Article

WATCH: East Sutherland Wheelers pay poignant tribute at funeral of former Highland teacher and cycling veteran


By Caroline McMorran

Easier access to your trusted, local news. Subscribe to a digital package and support local news publishing.



Click here to sign up to our free newsletters!

A POIGNANT tribute has been paid to a popular East Sutherland teacher and keen cyclist, who died earlier this month.

The funeral service for David Paton (65) took place at the Fountain Road Hall in Golspie.

And members of cycling club East Sutherland Wheelers took to their bikes after the service to follow the cortège as it made its way down Fountain Road and along the A9 to the village graveyard.

The group had earlier appealed to its members on social media to “do Dave proud and cycle behind the funeral procession”.

The post read: “Dave could often be found touring the back roads between Golspie, Brora and Rogart on his beloved bike.

“It would be fitting to accompany Dave on his final journey from the hall after the service to Golspie cemetery.

“So get your East Sutherland Wheeler shirt on and dust off your bike and let’s do Dave proud and cycle behind the funeral procession.”

The cyclists outside Fountain Road Hall at the end of the service.
The cyclists outside Fountain Road Hall at the end of the service.

Mr Paton died on New Year’s Day at the Lawson Memorial Hospital, Golspie.

Well-known in the area, he served for many years as a biology teacher at Golspie High School, but had been retired for a number of years.

He is survived by his wife Fiona and adult children Jennifer, Malcolm and Iain.

In a social media post on January 2, Fiona Paton paid her own tribute to her husband, saying: "After a difficult few months, my lovely husband Dave lost his battle and passed away last night.

"We are all devastated but I was so lucky to have had Dave at my side for 44 years. Big Dave - solid as a rock."

A collection was taken at the door for the Cambusavie Unit Patient Comfort Fund.


Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.



This site uses cookies. By continuing to browse the site you are agreeing to our use of cookies - Learn More