Friends and family of popular Arbroath environmentalist Ralph Coutts have not let funeral restrictions stop them paying their respects.
Dozens of mourners gathered outside Dundee Crematorium on Monday as Ralph was laid to rest.
He died earlier this month, suddenly, while cycling in Arbroath, aged 53.
Ralph was well known in the community for, among other things, organising litter picks in Angus and elsewhere.
Those who gathered at Dundee Crematorium applauded the hearse as it pulled into the crematorium driveway, followed by a cortege of relatives.
Golfing friends lined up to form a guard of honour as the hearse entered the crematorium.
Around 50 people then waited outside while the proceedings took place inside, unable to enter because of coronavirus restrictions.
Fraser Riddler, caddy manager at St Andrews Links, has been friends with Ralph for more than a decade.
He said: “So many of the guys who worked closely with Ralph thought the world of him and it was a way to pay a final tribute to him.
“There have been several tributes to him online as well and it shows how well he was thought of.”
A banner was raised at the ground’s gate which said Ralph was “very much loved”. Tributes were written on the banner, with one reading: “You were one of a kind. You meant so much to so many people. Love you mate.”
Jim Menzies, friend of Ralph, played the bagpipes to accompany the cortege upon arrival.
An online fundraiser was set up shortly after Ralph’s death quickly smashed its £2,000, and then £2,600, target to erect a Pictish stone tribute to the environment campaigner’s work at St Vigeans.
George Park, who was friends with Ralph for about four years, said the speed of the fundraising “speaks volumes” about in the esteem he was held in.
George filmed the procession at Ralph’s funeral for the family and people who could not attend.
He described the turnout as a “big one” considering the lockdown restrictions.
Nicky McLean, Ralph’s partner of 14 years, shared a template of the eulogy with The Courier in the aftermath of Ralph’s death.
She said: “Ralph was a marvellous man with a kind heart.
“He was a formidable opponent of the world’s injustices and an advocate for fairness and parity.
“Our worlds will be a far colder place without his warm wit, humour and sense of fun.
“He is irreplaceable and his loss is immeasurable and will be felt not only by me and his family but by the like minded people of the volunteering and golfing communities.
“The amount of flowers, kind thoughts and messages has been overwhelming and a great comfort to us all but it is also a measure of the man himself.”
