Police are continuing in their attempts to establish why an 83-year-old Forres pensioner was walking alone on the A96 near Tornagrain when she was knocked over and killed on Tuesday evening.
Hazel Mackerness died after being hit by two cars on the road between Inverness and Nairn on what is believed to have been her birthday.
While it is believed she had travelled to Inverness it is not known why she was walking along the A96 at Tornagrain – some 25 miles from her home in Forres.
Last night a neighbour of the widowed Mrs Mackerness described her as an “very independent lady” who liked nothing better than to travel abroad in particular during the winter when the weather was severe.
She said: “She was an interesting person who was a member of the local flower club – she also had an interest in history and had joined a historical group in Inverness.”
Police are continuing in their efforts to piece together Mrs Mackerness’s movements before she started walking along the main road between Inverness and Nairn.
A spokesman said: “At 8.26pm on Tuesday Police Scotland received a report of a serious road traffic collision on the A96 near Tornagrain involving two cars and a pedestrian.
“Sadly as a result of injuries sustained in the collision the pedestrian died at the scene. Inquiries are ongoing into the incident and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
Police are appealing for anyone who might have seen Mrs Mackerness on the road or who witnessed the accident to come forward by calling the non-emergency number 101.