Take 5 Fridays: Our most read stories from the past week

March 26 - April 2

1. WATCH: Poignant floral tributes laid following death of Easter Ross boy

Heartfelt floral tributes have been placed following a tragic road accident which claimed the life of an Easter Ross boy.

Craig Melville, who was 16, died as a result of the accident on the B9176 on Saturday night.

Read more: Floral tributes placed after death of Alness boy Craig Melville (16) following tragic accident on B9176 in Easter Ross

2. Outrage as couple set up camp at historic Highland ruin

A confrontation between local residents and a couple camping at a historic Sutherland ruin at the weekend is feared to be a foretaste of what is to come when lockdown is finally lifted.

Read more: Police involved over outrage as couple set up camp at historic north west Sutherland ruin

3. 'I walked into Raigmore and was on a ventilator four hours later – I was dying'

A Highland Long Covid sufferer has marked a year since contracting the condition by calling for more mental health support.

Sarah MacDougall (43) said that she went from being relatively fit and healthy to needing a zimmer within a matter of weeks of contracting the condition.

Follow the story: Highland Covid-19 survivor calls for more mental health support

4. Friend rallies support for Easter Ross restaurant couple hit by cruel blow

A family friend is raising money to give a 'helping hand' to a well-known restaurant owner who is suffering from cancer.

Tain resident Emily Smith set up a crowdfunding campaign for Elide Franzoni who alongside her husband Ugo, run Italian Touch Restaurant and Cafe in Portmahomack near Tain.

Read more: Friend rallies support for Easter Ross restaurant couple hit by cruel cancer blow

5. Ross bricklayer who towed pal on mountain bike winds up in court

A 24-year-old Ross-shire bricklayer towed his pal on a mountain bike along a country road but it ended in disaster when he sustained head injuries after falling over the handlebars.

At Inverness Sheriff Court, first offender Callum Russell of Sellar Place, Conon Bridge admitted careless driving near Kiltarlity on August 14 last year.

Follow the story: 'Daft laddies' stunt ends in court for Ross-shire bricklayer as 'lazy' country road tow bid goes badly wrong

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