Tributes paid to musician who died while hillwalking on Hogmanay

Tributes have been pouring in for a Scottish musician who died while out hiking with his dog on Hogmanay.

Andrew Ure, who was lead singer of Falkirk band The Ray Summers, was reported missing at about 7pm after failing to return from Ben Vane, a mountain near Arrochar in Argyll and Bute.

A search was launched involving police, Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) and a rescue helicopter.

However by the time they reached Mr Ure he had died, one day after his 41st birthday.

His dog was found alive and unharmed, and has since been reunited with his family.

Mr Ure’s brother David paid tribute to the late musician on social media, saying he had “meant so much to many”.

“On Hogmanay, Andy was buzzing about what 2026 had in store for us – but firstly about getting out for a hill walk in all his new birthday gear,” the post read.

“Sadly, he didn’t make it home. Massive thanks to the Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team who the family are truly indebted to.

“So many people have lost a part of their world as he meant so much to many.

“For me, I’ve lost my wee brother, my best pal, my business partner, my sounding board, and the daily reason I used my phone.

“Heartbroken doesn’t even come close.”

In 2019 the pair set up the Vibration music festival, which takes place in Falkirk each year, and they worked together on a number of business ventures.

Mr Ure’s partner Linsey Wadell posted a moving tribute on Facebook, featuring a picture of the couple along with a caption addressed to him.

“On your birthday, you wanted to look at the stars with me,” the post read.

“Little did I know the next day you would be one of those stars. You were my guiding light and the biggest star of all.”

Posting on their Facebook page, The Ray Summers described their late frontman as a “rock”.

“Andy was not only the rock in our band, he was the rock in our lives,” the post read.

“This hurts so so much.

“All our love & strength goes out to Andy’s Linsey & his two wee boys, his family & all that were so lucky to know him.”

Mr Ure was the founder of the Falkirk Whisky Club and director of the Wee Whisky Shop in Linlithgow, which shared its “profound sadness” at his death on its Facebook page.

“Words cannot fully express the pain of this loss, and our thoughts are with Andrew’s family at this incredibly difficult time,” the post read.

“Thank you to everyone who has already reached out with their kind messages and condolences.”

In a statement Arrochar MRT said: “Late on Hogmanay, our team was called out to assist in the search for an overdue hillwalker and his dog on Ben Vane.

“This operation was led by Police Scotland, with brief support from the Rescue 199 helicopter.

“Tragically, by the time our team members reached him, the walker had already passed away. The dog was found alive and unharmed and has since been reunited with the man’s family.

“Our thoughts and deepest condolences are with the family, friends, and all those affected by this heartbreaking loss.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 7pm on Wednesday December 31, 2025, we received a report of concern for a hillwalker missing on Ben Vane, near Arrochar.

“Officers and Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team attended and traced the 41-year-old man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.

“There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”