Tributes to a couple who died of ‘carbon monoxide poisoning’ while camping at their favourite place

The devastated parents of a couple who are believed to have died from carbon monoxide poisoning while camping have paid emotional tributes to the pair.

Adele Tait, 47, and her partner Craig Will, 55, pitched their tent on the shores of Loch Awe in Argyll.

Relatives grew concerned they had not heard from the couple and called the police to investigate.

Officers made the tragic discovery last Saturday and have since said they are not treating the deaths as suspicious.

It is understood the couple died from carbon monoxide poisoning from a camping stove.

Their families have been left shattered by the news and Ms Tait’s mother Anne said she was ‘in pieces’ at the deaths.

She wrote on social media: ‘I am devastated to be writing this, my eldest daughter Adele and her partner Craig have sadly passed away.

‘The family are heartbroken at this time. You are my firstborn and the one that made me a mum.

Craig Will and Adele Tait died of carbon monoxide poisoning while camping by Loch Awe, in Argyllshire

The tragic couple were known to camp on the shores of Loch Awe, described as their ‘favourite place’

‘I am in pieces. Another part of my heart is in heaven.’ In another emotional statement, she said you ‘don’t realise how much you miss the texts and messages at 6am until the person is no longer here’.

Meanwhile, Mr Will’s mother Sandra revealed her devastation at the loss.

Paying tribute, she said: ‘Craig and Adele you were our favourite “hello” and our hardest “goodbye”.

‘In remembrance of your strength and resilience, your love for one another remains our greatest treasure.

‘Our son had an incredible impact in his short time here. Though we part ways with tears, in our hearts you’ll forever stay. Rest in peace dear Craig and Adele.’

Other tributes have come in from those who knew the couple.

One of Ms Tait’s close friends said: ‘Thank you for always being an amazing friend, always honest and caring.’

Mr Will previously served in the Gordon Highlanders regiment, as well as the 1st Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland.

The couple are believed to have been living together in a cottage in the West Lothian village of Longridge.

George McLaren, who described Mr Will and Ms Tait as his ‘true friends’, said they had died while on a camping trip in their ‘favourite place’ of the shores of Loch Awe.

He added: ‘I will miss them both more than they will ever know.

‘My deepest heartfelt condolences go out to both families.’ Other family members spoke of their shock at the deaths, and one said: ‘I thank the universe every day for blessing us with someone like you Craig.

‘We also lost his loving partner Adele, too. It brings us comfort knowing they’re together in peace somewhere.

‘We can see how much Craig and Adele were loved.’

Others also told of how much they would miss the well-loved couple, and offered to help their grieving families in their time of need.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: ‘Around 4.25pm on June 7, a man and woman were found deceased within a tent on the east side of Loch Awe, Dalmally, Argyll and Bute.

‘Their deaths are not being treated as suspicious. A report was submitted to the procurator fiscal.’

Carbon monoxide is deadly but odourless, making it difficult to detect. Campers are warned never to take a gas stove, lantern or heater into a tent because of the dangers they can pose.

Loch Awe is a popular destination for campers as it is Scotland’s longest freshwater loch.

Reports said the couple had not been in contact with loved ones since May 31.

They were found in their tent the day after police received reports that they were missing, with officers alerted to concerns as to their welfare on June 6.