The 53-year-old, who was working in Dunnottar at the time of the incident, had been within the “drop zone” near the base of a mature ash tree as it was being felled by a tree surgeon.
Ruaraidh Britton Reporter
14:56, 29 Jan 2026
Andrew Pirie tragically died at the scene from his injuries(Image: Getty)
An Aberdeenshire landscape gardener died after he was struck by a large section of falling tree trunk, a fatal accident inquiry has found.
Andrew Pirie tragically died at the scene in Dunnottar near Stonehaven on June 25, 2020 after being hit by the two-metre section of tree trunk.
The 53-year-old had been working within the “drop zone” near the base of a mature ash tree as it was being felled by a tree surgeon.
In his determination, Sheriff Andrew Miller found that the accident could have been avoided had the drop zone been clearly identified, physically marked, and properly supervised, with reliable communication between the climber and ground crew and safer methods used to control falling timber.
It was added that the absence of the appropriate measures constituted defects in the working system that contributed to Mr Pirie’s death.
The Sheriff recommended that the Arboricultural Association increase industry awareness of its Industry Code of Practice for Arboriculture: Tree Work at Height, especially guidance on site conditions and consider whether the Code requires revision in light of the circumstances of the incident.
Unlike a criminal trial, an FAI seeks to establish the facts surrounding the death and is not a hearing which apportions blame.
The purpose of an inquiry is to establish the circumstances of the death and to consider what steps, if any, may be taken to prevent other deaths in similar circumstances.
The Procurator Fiscal, who acts in the public interest, provided detailed and comprehensive evidence to the Inquiry on the facts and circumstances of Mr Pirie ‘s death.
Following the publication of the determination, Debbie Carroll of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, Scotland’s death investigation authority, said: “We note the Sheriff’s Determination.
“The Procurator Fiscal ensured that the full facts and circumstances of Andrew Pirie’s death were provided at the mandatory Fatal Accident Inquiry.
“The Determination has been provided to Mr Pirie’s family and our thoughts are with them at this time.”
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