Steven Donaldson will be remembered in the return of a memorial Angus motorcycle ride next month.
It’s a repeat of a 2019 event which saw streets brought to a standstill in a powerful tribute to the Arbroath oil worker brutally murdered four years ago.
Steven’s family were overwhelmed by the show of support as hundreds who shared his passion for motorcycles joined a two-wheeled convoy across the county.
And the stranger inspired to organise the ride hopes the biker family will turn out again in big numbers.
The ride will take place on Saturday July 30.
Donaldson family to join bikers
Steven’s sister, Lori, says the family plan to be part of the celebration of her younger brother’s life once again.
It will go from Arbroath to Forfar, Kirriemuir and on to Kinnordy Loch.
The RSPB reserve is where the 27-year-old’s body was found in the early morning of June 7 2018.
Almost a year later, three people were convicted of the killing which rocked the Angus community.
The Donaldson family planted a tree at Kinnordy in memory of Steven, who loved fast cars and motorcycles.
It has become a place of solace for Steven’s family and friends.
The wanted to reclaim the site as a place to enjoy happy memories of him.
Lori, 34, said: “It doesn’t get any easier for us.
“But we go to Kinnordy regularly to remember Steven and we get comfort from that.”
And she is pleased north east man Billy Connell has decided to organise the memorial ride again.
“Billy wasn’t sure what sort of response there would be for the first ride, but it was really overwhelming how many people turned out,” said Lori.
‘It’s what Steven would have liked’
Thousands turned out to hear the roar of hundreds of machines in the memorial convoy.
And crowds burst into spontaneous applause as town centres came to a standstill in tribute.
“It was very difficult and emotional for us, but it was a positive thing and something Steven would have liked,” said Lori.
“I was on one of the bikes and I’d like to do that again if it’s possible.
“The biking community really turned out, hundreds of people who never knew him.
“And there are so many who still remember Steven and miss him so we hope it will be another positive day.”
Plant operator Billy didn’t know Steven, but said the horrific case inspired the gesture for Steven’s family.
“I organised it because I just wanted to try and do something to show that people cared and had been affected by what happened to Steven,” he said.
The 2019 ride took place just days before what would have been Steven’s 29th birthday.
Annual event stopped by Covid
It was planned to make the memorial ride an annual event before the pandemic struck.
“We cancelled the other ones because it wouldn’t have been what it should have for Steven and his family,” said Billy.
“But this one is going ahead on July 30.
“It’s not long till then, but we hope the word will get out there so we can get another great turnout.
“The plan is to set off from Victoria Park in Arbroath again and go to Forfar and Kirriemuir, then on to Kinnordy.
“Hopefully bikers can be in Arbroath for around 12 and we’ll set off at 1.
“Once people know it is happening again this year I’m sure the numbers will come for Steven and his family.”
Murder that repulsed Angus
Steven Donaldson’s busy and successful life was cut short in the most vicious and appalling way.
His battered and burned body was discovered by the charred shell of his BMW motor car at the Angus nature reserve,
A jury at the High Court in Edinburgh convicted Kirrie men Callum Davidson and Steven Dickie of Steven’s brutal murder.
They were jailed for 24 and 23 years respectively.
Tasmin Glass, also from Kirrie, was found guilty of culpable homicide.
She is serving ten years in jail after luring her former boyfriend to his death.
Dickie killed himself in Perth prison on the day his co-accused lost their bids to have their sentences cut.
