Ullapool art gallery owner's tragic Rugby World Cup death in France
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The artist owner of a Wester Ross art gallery has died tragically while following the Scotland rugby side in the World Cup in France.
Avid rugby fan Stuart Herd (52) has a string of Harbour Gallery's in west Scotland including one in Ullapool, although it is understood his main base was in Tarbert, Argyll, where his son Robbie runs the company picture framing business.
Mr Herd, who was travelling by Land-Rover towing a 'van, was said to be "fine" as he said goodnight to other campers just hours before his body was found on Monday (Oct 2) in his caravan at Camping Navarre, at Langres, 180 miles south-east of Paris.
It is understood that carbon monoxide poisoning is being investigated as a possible cause of his death.
Site manager Xavier Maillot said: “It was surprising because he was fine on Sunday evening and said good night to the neighbour campers before going to sleep.”
Mr Herd, who was also a photographer, owned The Harbour Gallery, which has galleries in Tarbert, Ullapool and Inveraray.
A company statement said: “Due to tragic and unforeseen circumstances the Harbour Gallery website and The Harbour Galleries Tarbert, Ullapool and Inveraray will be stopping orders from this point onwards and until further notice.
“Any orders that have already been placed by customers either online or in our galleries will be contacted in due course.
“We apologise for any inconvenience this causes to our customers, and we will be able to give more information in time.”
It read: "Due to tragic and unforeseen circumstances the Harbour Gallery website and The Harbour Galleries Tarbert, Ullapool and Inveraray will be stopping orders from this point onwards and until further notice.
"Any orders that have already been placed by customers either online or in our galleries will be contacted in due course. We apologise for any inconvenience this causes to our customers, and we will be able to give more information in time."
As well as his own works, including original paintings and prints, the galleries feature other local artists, ceramics and memorabilia.
A friend Albert White paid tribute to Mr Herd on Facebook writing: "With deep sadness, one of our forum members and large part of the rugby family Stuart Herd passed away while on tour for the RWC in France.
"As an artist his inspirational paintings of Scotland scenery are visually amazing. His paintings of rugby action captured monuments in time we all will remember forever in his art."
