Highland mountain rescue teams pay tribute to ‘legend’ David 'Heavy' Whalley from Burghhead
Highland teams have joined Scotland’s mountain community in paying tribute to a mountain search and rescue veteran after he passed away last weekend at the age of 72.
According to Scottish Mountain Rescue, David 'Heavy' Whalley, from Burghead in Moray, dedicated his life to helping others in the mountains and was an “inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing him.”
Having spent almost four decades as part of the RAF Mountain Rescue Service, he was also a senior team leader on the tragic scene of the Lockerbie disaster in December 1988, when 270 people were killed in the terrorist attack.
He spent his last four years of service working in the Rescue Co-ordination Centre at RAF Kinloss.
Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team posted: “CMRT is sad to hear about the passing of Dave "Heavy" Whalley.
“He was a great help to us for many years and true lover of the mountains. He was respected far and wide and his death leaves a huge hole in Scotland's mountain community.”
Kintail Mountain Rescue also joined the tributes, saying: “Our thoughts are with his family and friends and to all that knew him. David Heavy Whalley a true legend of Mountain Rescue.”
He was featured in BBC Scotland’s The Adventured Show:
A statement from Scottish Mountain Rescue said: “We are deeply saddened by the passing of David 'Heavy' Whalley, a true legend of Mountain Rescue and an inspiration to all who had the privilege of knowing him.
”Heavy dedicated his life to helping others in the mountains, giving countless years of service with unwavering commitment, skill, and compassion. He was a leader, a mentor, and a friend to so many in the Mountain Rescue community and beyond. His knowledge, experience, and kindness left an indelible mark on all who worked alongside him.
”His legacy will live on in the Scottish outdoors through every team member he guided, every life he touched, and every summit where his spirit roams free.
”Our thoughts are with his family, friends, and all who knew and loved him.
”Rest in peace, Heavy. You will be sorely missed, but never forgotten.”
