BORN in Edinburgh, James, known as Jim, grew up in Fairmilehead and attended Oxgangs Primary and then Firrhill High School.

After school he attempted jobs with the civil service and an insurance company. He quickly discovered they were not for him.

Instead, he found his calling working outdoors at the ski centre in Hillend on the Pentland hills, where he worked for 33 years.

He didn't ski himself, but loved working on the slopes where he mainly operated the chair lift and lent out for-hire skis.

He became known as Big Jim to generations of Hillend skiers.

An avid traveller, he visited America, Australia and New Zealand.

Sister Janice, who now lives in Houston, Texas, where he used to love visiting, said: "He was not the type of person to work in an office. My fondest memories are recent ones of him dancing with Maoris in New Zealand and riding camels in Alice Springs, Australia.

"He was up for anything. He had a good sense of humour and never met a stranger."

She said he was a great social character and enjoyed going out with his many friends for a few beers after work.

He could be found regularly drinking in local pubs The Steading and Centre Court.

Stevie Snodgrass worked with Mr Laurie since he started at Hillend and remembers his friend fondly.

He said: "He was liked by everyone on the slope, the public, staff and the kids.

"In the old days we would draw water from the burn to boil it for tea.

"We would get hot coals in the winter to stay warm in the huts. In the summer Jimmy would take his shirt off to try to get a tan."

He said his friend was a hard worker who would climb the steep hills to get the slopes ready for race days and to set off the fireworks for November 5.

He put his strength into maintaining the chair lift, building huts and constructing the ski matting.

In May 2007, Mr Laurie was diagnosed with the rare degenerative disease myelopathy which affects the spinal cord. Shortly afterwards he gave up work. He died in the Western General hospital on October 24.

Mr Laurie leaves behind partner Debbie, daughter Sabina and Niamh, his newly born granddaughter, who he never met, but saw in photographs.

He was cremated at Mortonhall Crematorium Main Chapel, which friends and family packed out, with only standing room left.

Debbie described him as a "gentle giant" who had a lust for life, adventure and sport.