HARLEY Davidson motorcyclists from across the west of Scotland formed a procession to Cove Burgh Hall to pay tribute to local biker Nigel Shutt.

Nigel, 53, a former pupil of Kilcreggan Primary and Hermitage Academy, died suddenly on April 3 after suffering a heart attack.

Last Friday, more than 160 family and friends made their way to the village for his funeral led by Sheena Johnston of the Humanist Society Scotland.

Many of those present were members of the Clyde Valley Harley Owners Group, which Nigel joined after realising his dream three years ago of owning one of the iconic motorbikes.

Nigel’s mum Margaret Shutt, a former postmistress in Cove, and his partner Libby described the bikes at the service as “a very fitting tribute” to someone who had been passionate about motorcycles from an early age.

Paying tribute to Nigel in a joint statement to the Advertiser, they said: “We were both bowled over with the tributes from everyone who was at the funeral.The bikes showing up was just stunning to see and was a lovely and very appropriate tribute to Nigel.”

Nigel was born in Harrogate on May 15, 1963 as the eldest of Roy and Margaret’s four children.

The family moved to Kilcreggan when Nigel was around six, when his dad got a job as a builder and stonemason.

Nigel settled in well and quickly made friends at the local primary school and gained a reputation as a bit of a prankster, continuously coming up with new ways to trick his younger brothers.

Nigel’s passion for motorbikes dated from his teenage years, when he slowly graduated from a 100cc bike to one with a 1200cc engine.

On leaving school, Nigel was told he was underweight and under height to be accepted into the Royal Navy; disappointed but undeterred, he enrolled at naval college, and eventually joined shipping company Denholm’s as a deck hand, later moving to P&O.

For 20 years until his sudden death Nigel served with Caledonian MacBrayne, with whom he held the post of quartermaster.

During the course of his career Nigel sailed all over the world, often for months at a time.

With CalMac the trips were closer to home and Nigel relished sailing on the tricky waters of the west coast of Scotland, especially on ‘LOTI’, as his last ship, MV Lord of the Isles, isaffectionately known. LOTI’s flag flew at half-mast as a mark of respect following the news of his passing.

Despite spending time at sea, Nigel was passionate about motorbikes.

Three years ago he realised his dream of owning a Harley Davidson and was currently on his third Harley. He was a keen member of the Clyde Valley Harley Owners Group.

Nigel loved going on ride outs with his friends and clubmates and attending meetings with fellow bikers at Springfield Quay in Glasgow – where the talk was naturally all about bikes. Not to be outdone, his partner Libby joined the ‘Ladies of Harley’ and became involved in fund raising events.

Stephen Trainor, director of Clyde Valley HOG, said: “Nigel was a great guy and in his short time with our club made many friends evident by the turnout at his funeral.

“He was a gentleman in the true sense of the word. He always had time to chat to new members and visitors to the club. He will be sadly missed.

“Forty-four bikes attended the funeral. There were many more wanted to come but couldn’t get time off work.

“The members collected more than £1,000 for Nigel’s family, who kindly donated this to the British Heart Foundation.”

Although bikes were a passion, the most important thing in Nigel’s life was his family.

Libby said they made a great team together and that for her, life will never be the same without Nigel. She said they just “seemed to fit” and planned to spend the rest of their lives together.

The Clyde Valley Harley Owners Group set up a JustGiving page to raise money in memory of Nigel for the British Heart Foundation. Libby added: “There is still a lot of research to be done and we hope money raised will help with that. We thank everyone for their support and donations.”