A mountain rescue team was dispatched on New Year’s Eve
‘You were my guiding light and the biggest star of all'(Image: Facebook)
Tributes have been pouring in for a dad-of-two and band frontman who died suddenly on Hogmanay. Andrew Ure passed away on a mountainside, only one day after his 41st birthday.
He was the lead singer of Falkirk band The Ray Summers, and also owned the Wee Whisky Shop in Linlithgow and a cafe in Grangemouth. Andrew was reported missing after going for a hike on Ben Vane near Loch Lomond, reports the Daily Record.
A mountain rescue team discovered his body shortly before the bells. Andy’s partner Linsey Waddell, 40, led online tributes to him.
She wrote: “On your birthday, you wanted to look at the stars with me. Little did I know, the next day you would be one of those stars. You were my guiding light and the biggest star of all.”
Brother David added: “On Hogmanay, Andy was buzzing about what 2026 had in store for us – but firstly about getting out for a hill walk in all his new birthday gear.
“So many people have lost a part of their world as he meant so much to many! Heartbroken doesn’t even come close.”
Entrepreneur Andy was a co-founder of the annual Vibration music festival in his hometown, which was rebranded Falkirk Fest last year. The Wee Whisky Shop said: “It is with profound sadness that we share the news that one of our directors, Andrew Ure, passed away on December 31, 2025.
“Words cannot fully express the pain of this loss, and our thoughts are with Andrew’s family at this incredibly difficult time. Thank you to everyone who has already reached out with their kind messages and condolences.”
Falkirk Whisky Club added: “Very sad news that our founder Andy Ure passed away on Hogmanay. Andy was a force of nature, irreplaceable and will be sorely missed…
“Andy and I met through our shared love of whisky and many, many whisky friends have reached out over the last couple of days as news filtered through and overwhelmingly send their love to his family.”
Andrew’s passing has been described as a “huge loss to the Scottish music scene”. Ross Coutts said: “Incredibly sad news. Was an honour to work with The Ray Summers on various occasions where he really had something special for a frontman.
“Was great seeing his business ventures – including festivals – go from strength to strength in recent years. A huge loss to the Scottish music scene. Thinking of all Andrew’s friends & family.”
Fellow musician Stevie Jukes said: “Shocked and saddened to hear about the passing of Andrew Ure. When I started our last band, The Ray Summers were one of the best bands around and one we truly looked up to, with Andy front and centre as one of the finest frontmen in the country.
“Over the last few years, Andy was so kind to message regularly, chatting about music and whisky. I hope you’re having a dram with the big man upstairs, Andy. RIP.”
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A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Around 7pm on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, we received a report of concern for a hillwalker missing on Ben Vane, near Arrochar.
“Officers and Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team attended and traced the 41-year-old man, who was pronounced dead at the scene. There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
The Ray Summers were festival regulars in the Noughties and supported Paolo Nutini at Glasgow’s 2008 Hogmanay celebrations.