Father's appeal to young drivers

Pte Duncan's funeral was held with military honours

The father of a soldier who died when the car he was a passenger in crashed into a tree has made a poignant appeal to young drivers.

Private Simon Duncan, 20, from Strathspey, was buried in Kingussie following a service at St Andrews Church in Aviemore.

He was the second fatality in under two years at the same spot on the A86 between Newtonmore and Kingussie.

Mark Duncan said: "Life is finite and it can be taken away at any moment."

Pte Duncan served with the Highlanders battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

There have been calls for the tree the car struck to be chopped down. It has been draped with the Saltire as a tribute to the soldier.

Pte Duncan's funeral also comes amid concern about Scotland's toll of young people killed in road accidents over the past month.

For every situation they should use common sense - drive to the conditions and remember life is finite and it can be taken away at any moment Mark Duncan

They include two 17-year-olds who died when a car and train collided at a level crossing near Invergordon in the Highlands.

Mr Duncan, a former policeman, urged young motorists to think carefully about their actions.

He said: "For every situation they should use common sense - drive to the conditions.

"I don't think there's anything that would bring Simon back, but if a little bit of common sense seeps into some other young drivers then that would be very, very worthwhile."