Teens laid to rest
The remote cottage on the A939 Tomintoul to Cockbridge road where the double tragedy took place.
THE teenagers killed in a double shooting at a cottage near Tomintoul have been laid to rest.
A service was held for 16-year-old Sophie Taylor at the Lecht Ski Centre on Monday afternoon. A funeral for her boyfriend, Calum Murray (18), was held at Leochel Cushnie Parish Church, Aberdeenshire, on Saturday morning.
Both families released statements through Grampian Police following the services.
Sophie’s father David, mother Katie and brother David said: "Sophie touched the lives of so many people, and we have been comforted by the messages of support we have received from friends, family and the local community.
"She had aspirations of being a social worker, and we have no doubt she would have achieved whatever she set her mind to. We are immensely proud of her and have been left devastated by her loss.
"We all have our own special memories of our time spent with Sophie and we will treasure these forever."
Calum’s family said they had been touched by the support they have received from family and friends since his death.
They said: "Calum was extremely popular, and his death in such tragic circumstances has left a gap in our lives. It is impossible to describe the sense of loss we are feeling.
"There is an immense sadness to have lost him so prematurely, but we are thankful for the wonderful memories that he has left us, and those will be cherished forever."
The families asked for privacy to allow them to come to terms with their grief.
Calum accidently shot and killed Sophie at Blairnamarrow Cottage on the Glenavon Estate just off the A939 Tomintoul to Cockbridge road in the early evening of Tuesday, April 12.
The trainee gamekeeper then went outside and took his own life.
Police investigations into the shootings are ongoing. Officers are not seeking anyone else in relation to the incident.
Inquiries are continuing into a complaint made about a distressing image left on Sophie’s memorial page on Facebook.
