Gordon Chalmers, 78, of Thriepland Farm, Boyndie, died in hospital on 20 October 2024 after he was trampled by a cow on 18 October 2024. Mr Chalmers had been sorting cows into groups in a shed in preparation for keeping them indoors for the winter.

The inquiry was a mandatory inquiry since the death of Mr Chalmers occurred while in the course of his employment.

Sheriff Robert McDonald determined that a reasonable precaution which might realistically have prevented the accident would have been for the task to have been carried out from behind a gate, separating Mr Chalmers from the animals.

Following the publication of the determination, procurator fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on fatalities investigations said: “We note the sheriff’s determination. The procurator fiscal ensured that the full facts and circumstances of Mr Chalmers’ death were provided at the mandatory fatal accident inquiry.

“The determination has been provided to Mr Chalmers’ family, and our thoughts are with them at this time.”