TRIBUTES have been paid to a retired policeman and a construction worker who were killed in a two-car smash.
Former detective constable David McCook, 53, and Steven Lauder, 48, were both driving their vehicles when the crash happened and both died at the scene.
The collision, involving a Peugeot 307 and a Renault Laguna, left the A82 Inverness-Fort William road blocked for several hours at the weekend.
Grieving relatives of Mr McCook, of Caol near Fort William, and Mr Lauder, of Spean Bridge, have now paid tribute to them.
Mr McCook, a married father-of-three, was a police officer for three decades and received medals for his long service.
He also was awarded a certificate of commendation, along with fellow detective constables Joan MacKay and Billy Kinnear, for an investigation leading to the arrest of a dangerous sex offender within 40 minutes of his horrific rape attempt being reported.
Mr McCook is survived by his wife, Angie, daughters Becky and Rachael Elsie and son Jonathan.
Rachael paid tribute to her father on a social networking site yesterday and said she was "completely devastated" by his death.
She said she was "overwhelmed" by the kind words and support shown to her and her family and said she was "so proud" to have had him as her father.
Relatives of Mr Lauder described him as a "total gentleman".
His parents, Jock and Maureen, from Inverness, were being comforted by family in Fort William yesterday.
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