It is with great sadness that Highways reports on the passing of Craig Baskin, a respected asphalt industry professional who served on the Institute of Asphalt Technology's (IAT) Scottish Branch Committee.

Mr Baskin had worked as technical development advisor for Leiths (Scotland) Ltd since 2018 and before that had been technical manager at Lagan Asphalt, where he worked on the M8 M73 M74 Motorway Improvement project involving the design, manufacture, and placement of over 900,000 tonnes of bituminous material.

In a moving tribute to Mr Baskin, the IAT said he would be 'remembered with warmth, gratitude and enormous respect', while the association also stressed that 'his legacy will live on in the people he mentored, the standards he championed, and the friendships he built'.

'Craig was much more than a respected industry professional. He was someone who genuinely cared about people, always willing to share his knowledge, offer encouragement, and help others grow. Whether through his work with Leiths, his involvement with the IAT, or the many friendships he built throughout the industry, Craig left a lasting impression on everyone fortunate enough to know him,' the IAT said in a statement.

'Over the past 13 years in Scotland, Craig became a familiar and highly respected figure within our industry. His passion for quality, his commitment to continuous improvement, and his belief in helping others become the very best they could be earned him the admiration of colleagues across the sector. He was generous with his time, humble in his approach, and always willing to lend a hand. He was a trusted voice, a supportive colleague, and a true friend whose contribution will be remembered with gratitude.

'Many people across our industry will have worked alongside Craig at some point in their careers, and some may only now be hearing this sad news. We felt it was important to recognise not only the significant contribution he made to our profession, but also the positive impact he had on the people around him.

'Our thoughts are with Craig's family, his friends, and his colleagues at Leiths at this incredibly difficult time.'