Farmer dies in tragic accident

POLICE have confirmed that a well known farmer has died after a tragic accident in the south mainland of Shetland on Tuesday morning.

Bryden Budge, who ran Bigton Farm and was a director of Shetland Livestock Marketing Group, was involved in a workplace accident. 

A short police statement confirmed that the emergency services were called to the accident at Bigton at around 10am, and that the 46 year old had died as a result of his injuries.

A report, prepared in conjunction with the health and safety executive, is to be submitted to the procurator fiscal. The death is not being treated as suspicious.

The death of the father of three, who was married to SIC children’s services director Helen Budge, will be a major loss to the crofting community.

One of the south end’s three councillors, Allison Duncan, who knew Bryden Budge through his involvement both in agriculture and the local football scene, said it was a “very sad piece of news which has shocked the whole community”.

“All I can say is I extend my sincerest sympathies to the Budge family at this very sad time for them,” he said. “The whole family is respected in this community of the south mainland, in the rest of Shetland and outwith Shetland.

“Bryden was an outstanding farmer who bred quality live stock – cattle and sheep. It is one of the best-run farms in Shetland, and as a younger many he was an excellent goalkeeper for the local community teams Quendale and Ness United – just the same as his father [Jim Budge].”