Family tribute to missing swimmer

Mr Hutchison had been fishing in the loch before he went swimmiing

The family of a student whose body remains missing after he went swimming in a Highlands loch have described him as a "loving son and brother".

Searches of Loch Assynt, east of Lochinver, have so far failed to find Craig Hutchison, 20, of Inverness.

He had been angling with friends before trying to swim the loch on Saturday.

His father Hugh said: "We have been taking comfort from the fact that Craig died doing what he loved best, being outdoors with his friends."

The electrical engineering student is also survived by his mother Pamela and 17-year-old sister Carly.

Sought adventure

Mr Hutchison said: "As a family we are grateful for the huge effort from members of Craig's outdoor trip and the emergency services who all tried so hard to find him.

"From a family point of view Pamela and I have lost an irreplaceable and loving son and a great brother to Carly.

"Craig will be hugely missed by his family, his wide network of friends and his work colleagues."

Mr Hutchison said his son sought adventure and was extremely good humoured.

The student's father added: "He was great fun to be with, was very positive and had so much to offer.

"He loved hill walking, rock climbing, fishing and camping. I shared his enthusiasm for fishing and hill walking and loved doing those things with him."