Tributes after father and son drown

Michael Madders, 52, and his son Daniel were both wearing lifejackets when they were found by a Coastguard helicopter and taken to the Western Isles Hospital in Stornoway.

They were later pronounced dead at the hospital.

The two were reported missing by Mr Madders' partner and Daniel's mother Christine Cain, who found their overturned canoe on the shore of Loch Maree in Wester Ross.

She became worried when they did not return to the family home in Bridgeview, Poolewe, near Loch Maree in Ross-shire, after a planned 20-minute outing in the Tollie Bay area.

Mr Madders, who wrote Where To Watch Birds In Scotland, researched hen harriers and forestry in the early 1990s for his Glasgow University PhD and had continued his research of wild birds.

The headteacher of Daniel's primary school said news of his death was a great shock and he was "a polite, happy and enthusiastic wee boy".

Margaret Young, of Poolewe Primary School, said Daniel was loving and affectionate towards his father and his mother. "He had a unique way of expressing himself and a fantastic sense of humour. He always shouted 'Love you mum' as Christine dropped him off at school" she said.

A statement released by Natural Research, the environmental research organisation Mr Madders founded, said: "The directors and staff of Natural Research are devastated by the tragic news.

"Mike Madders was a founder of our organisation and has led the company through many years of success and growth. Mike's untimely death will bring enormous sadness to the many people whose lives he touched, both professionally and personally. Our thoughts are with Christine and his family."