Tributes to victim of suspected lightning strike

Tributes have been paid to a scientist killed by a suspected lightning strike while walking his dog at a Highland beauty spot.

Dr Tim Boyd, 54, died near his home in Appin, Argyll, during a storm on Sunday.

A passerby also walking her dog made the discovery at the Jubilee Bridge in the village after it was hit by thunder and lightning, heavy rain and hail storms.American-born, father-of two Dr Boyd had worked as a physical oceanographer and senior lecturer at the Marine Institute of UHI at the Scottish Association of Marine Science (Sams), based at Dunstaffnage in Oban.

A spokesman for Sams said: “We are grief-stricken about the tragic death of Tim Boyd, who was killed by a lightning strike on Sunday afternoon near his home in Appin.

“We suffer deep pain and confusion to lose such a lively and warm friend and colleague.

“Our hearts go out in particular to his wife and his two talented daughters he was so very, very proud of. Our thoughts are with his family.”

A statement from his family said: “He is survived by his wife (Cat Newsheller) and two daughters. In his private life he enjoyed hill running, cycling, sailing and travelling.”