Tomintoul shooting victim studied at Thurso

Male victim was a gamekeeping student

THE teenager who died in the double shooting, which claimed the life of his girlfriend near Tomintoul, studied at the North Highland College in Thurso.
Eighteen-year-old trainee gamekeeper, Calum Murray is thought to have died when the shotgun he was cleaning went off accidentally at a cottage near the village, on Tuesday night. It is also understood that, overcome with grief, he went outside and turned the gun on himself.
The dead man, who is originally from Dufftown, was studying for an SVQ in gamekeeping and wildlife management and was on a placement on the Glenavon Estate near Tomintoul. His girlfriend was Sophie Taylor. She was 16-years-old.
Gordon Jenkins, principal of North Highland College, said they were all shocked and saddened to hear the sad news. He added: “Calum is going to be a sad loss to the course and students and to the estate where he worked.”
Staff and students at the college are to be given the offer of counselling support.
A police investigation into the double tragedy is continuing.