Tributes have been paid to a “passionate Scots skier who was found dead in the Cairngorms after a solo-trip at the weekend.
The body of Sam Burns was found in the national park at around 11am on Saturday. The 40-year-old had been reported missing on Friday and had last been in contact with his friends when he was skiing alone in the area.
He failed to return to his van, which police said was parked in the Cairngorm Mountain car park. It is thought he planned to ski Y Gully or Diagonal Gully from the Cairngorm Plateau. Police confirmed there does not appear to be any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.
Following the tragedy, British Backcountry Courses – a Scottish ski touring company – has given a moving tribute to Sam, saying he “used his experience and love for the sport to help others”.
As reported in Aberdeen Live, the firm wrote: “Our thoughts go out to the family and friends of Sam Burns. We admired his passion and enthusiasm for the mountains. He used his experience and love for the sport to help others.
“Thank you to the mountain rescue teams who coordinated in searching for him. We recognise that you may be feeling his loss as well. Please feel free to reach out and talk. He will be missed.”
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 11am on Saturday, 14 December 2024, the body of a man was found in the Cairngorms. Formal identification is yet to take place, but the family of 40-year-old missing man Sam Burns has been informed. There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances, and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
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