Missing pieces in life of tragic dad
James Fernie died in quarry while living rough
People in the Stirling area have been asked to help provide information about an Army veteran whose remains were found in a tent in the Highlands.
Mystery surrounds the final years of the life of James Thomson Lawson Fernie, whose body was discovered on September 18 at a secluded part of Torvean Quarry, near Inverness, on September 18.
Police were eventually able to identify Mr Fernie and trace relatives, including his son, Ben, who is now trying to find out how his father came to be living in a quarry, hundreds of miles from close family.
Ben Fernie said James, born in Polmont but well known in the Stirling area, was a secretive man who had been estranged from his family for a number of years. “I had been searching for him anyway because I wanted to tell him that he has two grandchildren,” added Mr Fernie.
“He must have been working for cash in hand or claiming state pension because he never touched his Army pension.”
During James Fernie’s 15 years’ Army service with the Royal Scots Dragoon Guards he completed three tours of duty in Northern Ireland and was based in Germany where dad-of-two Ben was born.
James left the Army in 1986 and settled with his wife and family in Cornwall.
When James and his wife divorced he became separated from his family.
Ben Fernie last saw his father in 2001 when he came up to Scotland to attend the funeral of his grandmother, Clementine Fernie, James’ mother.
James Fernie is thought to have stayed in the Polmont area for a short time before and after his mum’s death, but left the area a short time later. His family were unaware of his whereabouts until police contacted James’ ex-wife following the discovery of the body. He had not been reported missing.
Although extensive DNA tests and dental records were carried out to confirm James’ identity, it was a scrap of paper found on his clothing which gave police clues to who he was.
They confirmed his identity after taking a DNA sample from Ben.
James is thought to have been living rough in the woods surrounding the Highland capital. He then moved to the former sand and gravel quarry where he died from natural causes an estimated 18 months before his remains were found.
It is understood police officers had encountered him before he died but had no concern for his wellbeing.
Ben Fernie, 36, who is himself ex-Army having served with the Light Infantry for a short time, said they had already received some information from people in the Cawdor area who believed they had seen James.
“They think he might be a man who was regularly seen in the area,” said Ben. “He was a grey-haired man who used to wear a tweed jacket and gum boots and was always carrying shopping bags. He would never accept lifts; he was always walking in the rain.”
Ben added: “We want people to get in touch who know or recognise him from the picture.
“I wanted to know what he had made of his life and now we all want to know what he was doing in the time leading up to his death.
“I would hate to know that he was suffering.”
If you can help Ben, contact him on