Family pays tribute to RockNess death teenager

The devastated family of Alex Herriot, the 19-year-old who died at the Rockness music festival, have paid tribute to their "much loved" and "beautiful" son.

After Mr Herriot, of Edinburgh, collapsed at the festival, the police issued warnings about the dangers of taking the "legal high" drug, Benzo Fury.

His family said their son was not a habitual drug user and had been warned to steer clear. In a heartfelt plea, they also issued a warned others.

"Please, please be aware that certain drugs can kill and please don’t be the next youngster to leave their family bereft," they said in a statement.

They described Alex as a much loved son and someone who was happy, caring, kind, loyal and affectionate who joined in enthusiastically with any project.

"He was very popular with a large group of close, good friends," the statement continued. "He was beautiful both on the outside and the inside where it matters most. He loved his life.

"The fact that we will not be seeing him wandering around the house with his laptop playing his music, teasing his sister and asking if there was any food and could he have a bus fare please is unbearable.

"Alex was attending a music festival which he had been looking forward to enormously. As a young man who enjoyed life, it was unfortunate he chose to experiment with a drug that had such a catastrophic effect on his system.

"We are devastated that we have lost him but anything he did, in every area of his life, was done with good intent, in this case to get the most out of his festival experience."

Mr Herriot had nearly finished his HND in media and was planning to gain further qualifications by attending Queen Margaret University.

"Music was his passion and he looked forward to attending concerts and festivals," the family said.

"He had everything going for him; personality in abundance, very good, close friends, a large extended family unit that supported and adored him and we are all devastated by our loss.

They thanked the doctor and police at RockNess and the staff at Raigmore Hospital for their kindness and their efforts to save their son’s life.