A man killed in a crash at a wedding at a Perthshire castle was a
childhood friend of the bride and groom.
The 29-year-old, who was named locally as hairdresser Steven Keddie, from Cupar, had attended the event at Fingask Castle both as a guest and to style the bride’s hair.
He died after the car he was travelling in left the castle’s narrow, twisting main drive, which emerges on to the public roads between Rait and Kilspindie, and overturned.
Tyre tracks could be seen on the road surface leading from a verge on one side to a damaged hedge on the other where the accident appears to have occurred.
Another track behind the hedge was cordoned off with police tape.
Steven, who was known to friends by his surname, is believed to have known bride Emma Taylor and groom Gavin Bissett since their school days.
The crash happened shortly after the meal had finished, at around 5.40pm.
Mark Bissett, father of the groom, said his son wanted to call off the remainder of the event after hearing of the incident but was persuaded to continue.
He said: “I think he (Steven) had just nipped away for something.
“We tried to keep it quiet for a bit to give the police time to let Keddie’s
parents know. After that we quietly went round people to let them know.
“Gavin wanted to cancel it but I told him no, Steven wouldn’t have wanted it.
“The band was already set up, so we just went for it.
“We were meant to be here (at the castle) until tomorrow and having a
barbecue today, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.
“It’s all a bit numb.”
He added that there were two other guests in the car with Steven.
He said: “The other two boys were taken to hospital for a check-up, but they didn’t come back to the wedding.
“As far as I know Keddie hadn’t been drinking.
“I don’t think he drank much – even in London on the stag do he wasn’t
drinking that much.”
Fingask Castle was built in 1592 and expanded in the 19th Century. It is famed for its topiary gardens, which make it a popular venue for weddings.
‘The life and soul of a party’
Crash victim Steven Keddie worked at Cupar hair salon Cutting Edge
and was popular with customers, with one calling him “the only decent
hairdresser in Cupar”.
One neighbour said: “He was so well liked – a smashing laddie.
“It hasn’t sunk in.
“It’s absolutely shocking – he’s only 29, just starting his life.”
Friends paid tribute on social media.
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.”
Another wrote: “There is 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.”
