Public thanked as mourners say goodbye to Iain Guthrie

The funeral of tragic Iain Guthrie took place near Birnam yesterday.

Mourners gathered at the Little Dunkeld Church to see him laid to rest more than three months after he went missing.

Iain was last seen in Perth on December 19, around the same time a person was reported in the water underneath Queen’s Bridge.

The worst fears of his family and friends were realised when a body was pulled from the Tay near Newburgh on February 24, the day after what would have been Iain’s 21st birthday.

DNA testing subsequently confirmed it was Iain, and his mother Louise said she was “more at peace” knowing his fate.

The funeral was paid by well-wishers who donated thousands of pounds via a crowdfunding website.

The page set out with a target of just £1,500 but donations swelled the fund to almost £3,000.

Family friend Johnny Nicol, who was Iain’s key worker at New School in Butterstone, said: “Our crowdfunding page raised £2,800 to help with funeral and memorial costs and Louise is overwhelmed by the generosity of the public as well as the kind messages of condolence and support.

“I am so, so deeply touched by the donations and messages left by everyone.

“This tragic tale has touched at the heartstrings of so many people, many of whom did not know Iain and Louise.

“I wish I could thank each of you individually.

“Iain will be remembered by everyone who knew him as he has enriched the lives of so many, at school and in the community around Bridgend, Perth.”