The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Festival planning ‘brilliant tribute’ for tragic walker
Amoving tribute is to be paid to Dundee hillwalker Sarah Buick, who died almost a year ago on Scotland’s highest mountain.
Dundee Westfest is commemorating Ms Buick, who fell to her death while walking on Ben Nevis, by naming a new stage after her when the festival takes place on June 12.
The Sarah Buick Stage will be in the bar area to mark Sarah’s contribution to Westfest.
She worked for several years as part of the sound crew for the main stage at Magdalen Green, helping to ensure the smooth running of live music at the event.
The 24-year-old went missing shortly after posting a selfie from the summit on Facebook on June 22 last year.
Her body was found a few days later around 2,000ft below the summit after a massive mountain rescue and helicopter search.
It is believed she slipped and fell as she was descending the mountain, which she had climbed to enjoy the sunrise on midsummer’s day.
A spokesman for Westfest said: “Sarah’s death came as a massive shock to all her colleagues on the Aztech Sound and Lighting Hire crew and to members of the festival committee.
“When the company suggested naming a new stage after her, the committee members readily agreed.”
He said Dundee-based Aztech has also donated the equipment for the new stage free of charge and the Whitehall Theatre, where she also often worked, is supplying the stage as a means of keeping her memory alive.
Westfest chairperson Martin Hay said: “Sarah was always a cheerful and popular figure around the main stage and will be sadly missed at this year’s event.
“Apart from being a really good crew member, Sarah’s bubbly personality always brightened us up on Big Sunday and we were all devastated to hear of her untimely passing.
“While it will bring back sad thoughts to us all, we believe it will be a fitting tribute to Sarah and all that she brought to the festival.”
Sarah’s mother Pauline said the plan was a “brilliant tribute” and something positive for the family.
She said: “Sarah enjoyed working at Westfest so for the stage to be named after her is a brilliant and fitting tribute to her.
“We give our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Aztech team and the Westfest organisers for this lovely gesture.”
Six acoustic acts, all Dundee-based, will perform sets throughout the day on the Sarah Buick Stage, beginning around 1pm.
Westfest Big Sunday begins at noon with various attractions including stalls, a fairground and children’s events plus more live music on the main stage as well as a DJ tent.