Shepherd dies in freak accident while trying to save his flock

A SHEPHERD has died on a Perthshire mountain, after becoming trapped under a rock while trying to free one of his flock.

Yesterday, the victim was named as Jimmy Elliot, 62, who was working on Ben More, Crianlarich, on Saturday morning.

Less than two weeks ago, Mr Elliot showed Scotland's rural affairs cabinet secretary, Richard Lochhead, the devastation the winter weather had caused on Ben More farm.

He took the minister to the scar on the hillside where a huge avalanche gouged out a side of the mountain, blocked a road with snow and rocks and swept his hill ewes to their deaths. It was the spot where he himself was to die.

Mr Elliot told Mr Lochhead about the problems of gathering in the flock in the snow – a process that involved seven people working for five hours on one side of the mountain and another five for the same time in another area.

Last night, Mr Elliot was described as "a very much loved member of a tight-knit community who farmed at Ben More for more than 30 years".

His wife Jeanette was being comforted by friends and family at the home they shared in Crianlarich.

She said: "Jimmy loved being on the hill tending to his flock, and he died doing what he loved."