Daniel Milne, 23, died instantly when his Audi A3 left the B994 Kintore to Kemnay road in Aberdeenshire on Sunday.

He is thought to have been on the way home to his parents’ house in Kemnay when the tragedy happened shortly before 4am.

His parents Sheila and Fred said yesterday: “Daniel was much loved and will be a sorely missed son, brother and uncle.

“He will leave a big void in our family. He loved playing his guitar and golf.

“He lived life to the full at work and in his spare time.”

Emergency services rushed to the scene of the collision but could do nothing to save the young driver, who was alone in the car. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Inspector Ewan Innes, from the roads policing department of Grampian Police, said: “Yet again we find ourselves having to deal with another fatality on the north-east roads, and our sympathies go out to the family and friends of those involved.

“It is too early to know what has happened here and our enquiries will continue for several days. Once more we have to plead with motorists to concentrate and drive with care at all times.”

Police have appealed for anyone who saw the dark blue Audi A3 being driven before the crash to call 0845 600 5 700.