A renowned Arran journalist has died after a battle with cancer.

David Kelso ran the successful Darven Cottage Bed and Breakfast on the island as well as writing.

He established himself as the country’s leading freelance rugby correspondent with his work featured in The Scotsman and Scotland on Sunday among others.

He attended school at Jordanhill College in Glasgow and found work as a trainee in the local Clydebank paper in the 1970s.

He went on to work at the Daily Record as a sub-editor before being head-hunted by the paper’s rival, the Scottish Sun, having risen through the ranks.

He became night editor before being made assistant editor.

He returned to reporting freelance and was often seen covering crime at Dumbarton Sheriff Court.

He founded Cricket Media Scotland with a fellow freelancer, creating the first agency dedicated to covering international and domestic cricket in the country.

Having spent most of his life in Glasgow, he moved to Arran where he ran the Darven Cottage B&B and spent time walking his beloved dogs and continuing to write freelance.

He was keen photographer and shared hundreds of beautiful images of the island and surrounding areas on social media.

Mr Kelso was diagnosed with cancer but did not stop his journalism. Spending much of his time being treated in Ayr Hospital, he kept friends updated on social media by documenting his stays.

The Scotsman reported Mr Kelso filed his final story from a hospital bed on October 30, but became too ill to carry on and died four days later.

Former Head of Sport at the Herald & Times Group Stewart Weir said: “Sad to hear of the passing of David Kelso.

“I often told him his byline should have been prefixed with 'from an original idea by...'

“At times he had an uncomfortable relationship with cricket and rugby admins. Fact was, they were lucky to have him. Another good man gone too soon.”

Alasdair Reid , sports journalist at The Times, said: “Sad to hear of the passing of long-time rugby writer David Kelso.

“Spinner of fabulous headlines and hilarious one-liners  - and consumer of the hottest curries known to man.”

Former Edinburgh Evening News rugby correspondent Bill Lothian said: “Deeply saddened to learn of the passing this morning of David Kelso, journalist colleague.

“A time for remembering fun times on rugby tours and press box banter.”

He is survived by partner Carol and sons Roddy and Duncan.