An Angus woman has told of her heartache after her husband died on a long-haul flight just before Christmas.
Father-of-three Graeme Scott was en route to Thailand with his wife Marlene when he died on December 23.
Mrs Scott thought the 62-year-old was sleeping as the plane touched down in Dubai, on its way to meet a connecting flight.
On Monday night she said the prospect of leaving him in the emirate was “one of the hardest things” she has had to bear.
“We’ve been told that he will be repatriated on Monday, coming into Glasgow,” she said.
“That was one of the hardest things: being in a strange country and having to leave him behind without knowing when he would come home.”
The Scotts have prepared for a funeral service on January 9, with further details to be announced.
Mrs Scott thought her husband was sleeping and said she was “in shock” when she discovered he had passed away just before the plane landed.
“We were flying business class to Bangkok and were just about to land in Dubai, where we were to transfer and finish our journey,” she recalled.
“Ten minutes before landing, I got up out of my chair and saw him with his eyes closed. I just thought he was sleeping.
“I went to the toilet and freshened up and when I returned, he still had his eyes closed.
“I spoke to him, then tried to prod him awake but when I felt him, he was ice cold.”
After the plane landed, Marlene, who is the owner of The Limes Guest House in Montrose, witnessed medical crews rush to her husband but it was too late.
The former oil works maintenance engineer’s cause of death is still to be confirmed.
It would have been the 20th year the well-travelled couple spent time in Bangkok, this time in the new five-star hotel The Sofitel.
“We have been to more places than we can count. We absolutely loved travelling,” said Marlene.
Mrs Scott, 61, said Bangkok was their favourite destination to holiday.
Her husband retired seven years ago when she was diagnosed with cancer.
Supporting his wife, he continued to lead a full life helping run the guest house, racing his pigeons, supporting his beloved Montrose FC and travelling the world.
Mr Scott is survived by daughters Jennifer, Karen and Claire.