City soldier's body to be flown home next week

THE body of an Edinburgh soldier found dead after going missing in southern Afghanistan will be flown back to the UK next week – as tributes to his bravery continued to pour in.

Highlander Scott McLaren of 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, disappeared from a Nato checkpoint in central Helmand province on Monday, sparking a massive 17-hour search. The 20-year-old from Sighthill was later found dead in a canal with gunshot wounds.

The exact circumstances of his death are still unknown, with the Taliban claiming that he had been shot dead at a village near his base.

One provincial councillor, Abdul Ahad Helmandwal, said he understood that Highlander McLaren had come face to face with a Taliban commander, named as Mullah Hekmat, and was shot dead by bodyguards.

Some reports suggested he drowned before he was found, and others that he was captured alive and shot dead.

The Ministry of Defence would not comment on the claims, but confirmed it was to carry out an investigation into the death.

Today it was revealed that the body of Highlander McLaren would be repatriated on July 12.

Speaking at Westminster yesterday, Prime Minister David Cameron praised the soldier's "bravery and dedication". He said: "I'm sure the whole house will wish to join me in paying tribute to Highlander Scott McLaren, of the Highlanders 4th Battalion the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

"This week I witnessed at first hand the sacrifice of our soldiers. I pay tribute to the bravery and dedication of this particular soldier, who was lost in such tragic circumstances."

Highlander Scott McLaren was educated at Murrayburn Primary School and Forrester High School before leaving to study mechanical engineering at Stevenson College. He later worked as a cashier at Farmfoods and joined the Armed Forces in August 2009.

First Minister Alex Salmond said: "This is a heartbreaking loss for Scott McLaren's family and friends, and I extend my deepest condolences."

Friends from the army and his old school continued to pay their tributes on social networking site Facebook.

Stacie O'Meara wrote: "Can't believe he has been taken from us without a second thought."

Craig Laing, who trained alongside him, said: "RIP Scotty mate will never forget you."