Highlander Scott McLaren, 20, joined the army in August 2009
“Colleagues of the British soldier who was found dead yesterday after going missing in Afghanistan have described Highlander Scott McLaren’s death as a “huge blow”.
British soldier Highlander Scott McLaren from 4th Battalion, the Royal Regiment of Scotland who went missing from a checkpoint in Afghanistan and was later found dead.
Highlander McLaren, of 4th Battalion, The Royal Regiment of Scotland, from the Sighthill area of Edinburgh, disappeared from a Nato checkpoint in central Helmand province – sparking a 17-hour search.
The 20-year-old joined the army in August 2009 and had served for less than two years.
Highlander McLaren was found with gunshot wounds, but the Ministry of Defence said it could not provide any further details about the circumstances surrounding his death at this stage.
… Lieutenant Colonel Alastair Aitken, commanding officer of The Highlanders … paid tribute.
“Scott McLaren quickly became the most reliable and conscientious member of his platoon, always happy to take on extra work and always the first to volunteer for any task.
“He was a man with a big heart and a true friend to many. He was trusted by all and genuinely had a heart of gold.”
Captain Callum MacLeod, Multiple Commander, D Company, The Highlanders described him as “the perfect example of what makes a Scottish soldier great”.