A WEDDING party celebrating in a castle was left grieving after a guest was killed in a car accident in the historic grounds.
The 29-year-old who died at the scene of Saturday’s crash at Fingask Castle has been named locally as Steven Keddie, of Cupar, Fife.
His car left the road on a twisting hillside track leading to the castle in the Carse of Gowrie, between Perth and Dundee.
Emma Taylor and Gavin Bissett, understood to be from Fife, were married at the venue on Saturday.
It is understood Mr Keddie was a friend of the couple and had attended the celebrations.
According to reports, the crash happened shortly after the wedding meal had finished, at about 5.40pm. Emergency services rushed to the castle but Mr Keddie died at the scene.
Yesterday, workers could be seen at the castle’s wedding pavilion in the manicured grounds of the historic castle.
However, nobody was available at the castle for comment on the incident.
Tyre tracks could be seen on the road’s surface leading from a verge on one side to a damaged hedge on the other where the accident appears to have happened.
Police tape could be seen hanging between hedges at the site of the crash on a private road leading from the unclassified road between the hamlets of Rait and Kilspindie.
Tributes were paid to Mr Keddie online.
He reportedly worked as a hairdresser at Cupar hair salon Cutting Edge.
One online post from user Tav Cupar read: “There are just no words that can describe the sheer devastation that is being felt in the town today.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with all Steven’s family, friends and colleagues.
“Fly high Steven Keddie, you were a true character that will be sadly missed by many.”
Amy Watson said: “Rest easy Steven Keddie, far too many accidents happening these days – thoughts are with all friends and family.”
Heather Spence-Smith added: “Thinking of his friends and family. RIP Keddie.”
Steph Goley said: “Rest easy Keddie. The life and soul of a party. And now the soul of the party up in heaven. Shine bright up there.”
And Rory Milne said: “Thoughts are with all his family and friends. Life can be so cruel... still can’t quite get my head round the whole thing.”
A spokeswoman for Police Scotland’s Tayside Division said: “Police Scotland can confirm that a 29-year-old man has died following a one-vehicle road traffic collision on the grounds of Fingask Castle.
“Emergency services were called to the area at about 5.40pm last night following reports of a collision.
“The driver sadly died at the scene.”
Fingask Castle sits perched on a hillside around 200ft above the village of Rait on the north side of the main A90 road.
Built at the end of the 16th century, the castle is famed for its topiary and statues in its extensive manicured gardens.
It is primarily used as a popular upmarket wedding venue, with prices for hiring the venue alone running up to £5,500 a day.
The castle, which is a B-listed building, also provides self-catering cottage accommodation across its grounds and is one hour from Glasgow and Edinburgh and 80 minutes from Aberdeen.
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