Trainee keeper in shooting tragedy

Scottish keepers have spoken of their shock at the news that a trainee gamekeeper in the Moray village of Tomintoul, whose body was found last week, killed himself after accidentally shooting dead his girlfriend.

Calum Murray, 18, was a student at North Highland College in Thurso and was on a work experience placement at the nearby Glenavon Estate when the incident happened.

In a statement, his family said: ?Calum completed a cookery course before embarking on a career as a keeper, and was very passionate about his new career. He loved the outdoors, walking with his dogs in the hills, and had shown a real flair and desire to progress with his gamekeeping.

?Calum was much admired both by his family and his friends and we are very proud of all he had achieved. He will be loved and treasured forever.?

Reports claimed that Murray had just returned from clay pigeon shooting with his girlfriend, 16-year-old Sophie Taylor, and two other friends, and was cleaning his gun when the accident happened. He then went outside and turned the gun on himself.

The rest of this article appears in 20th April issue of Shooting Times.

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