A former Canterbury schoolboy has today been named as the victim of a 600ft fall in the Scottish Highlands.

Corin Castle died when he fell while climbing in the Cairngorms mountain range on Friday, July 4.

The 21-year-old, who went to Simon Langton Grammar School for Boys in the city, was named as the victim today.

Mr Castle worked at Thompsons Garden Centre in Petham, near Canterbury, and was a studying plant science at the University of Nottingham.

He was due to travel to Malaysia to further his studies.

Plant manager Frances Fawcett, who worked with Mr Castle at the garden centre, said: "Corin worked with me last summer and the news of his death came as a terrible shock to all of us.

"He was an amazing plantsman who had a very bright future. He was also very diligent and mature for his age.

"I never had to chase him up to do anything because he always saw it and was very conscientious and hard working.

"He was also very adventurous and could be mischevious, but in a fun way.

"In a short time he became a very valuable member of staff and we would have welcomed him back."

A search and rescue helicopter was sent to the scene of the fall near the Lairig Ghru mountain pass after another climber raised the alarm.

The aircraft battled treacherous weather conditions, but managed to find Mr Castle in the Glen Einich area.

A winchman was lowered to help him, but despite the efforts of rescuers, he died of serious head injuries.

A police spokesman said his death was not being treated as suspicious.

The procurator fiscal - who investigates all sudden or suspicious deaths in Scotland - has been informed.

Leader of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team Willie Anderson said Mr Castle and his friend were "blameless" in the accident.

A tribute page called In Memory of Corin Castle has been set up on Facebook.

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