Tony Parsons, 63, disappeared during a solo charity bike ride in September 2017.

His remains were discovered in January 2021 within a remote area of ground by the A82 near to a farm in Bridge of Orchy, Argyll and Bute.

Twin brothers Alexander and Robert McKellar, 31, were initially accused of murdering Mr Parsons and attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

The siblings denied murder and were due to stand trial this week at the High Court in Glasgow.

On Wednesday, advocate depute Alex Prentice KC announced the charges against the brothers had been amended with Alexander then pleading guilty to the lesser charge of culpable homicide.

He admitted hitting Mr Parsons, from Tillicoultry in Clackmannanshire, with a vehicle while driving at excess speed and unfit through alcohol on 29 September 2017.

Robert, who was a passenger in the motor, was acquitted of killing Mr Parsons after his not guilty plea was accepted by the Crown.

Both brothers pleaded guilty to attempting to defeat the ends of justice.

The pair admitted leaving the scene of the collision and returning in another vehicle.

The brothers then took Mr Parsons' body, bike and belongings to Auch Estate, where they buried the ex-navy petty officer within the grounds at a location used to dispose of dead animals.

The brothers also arranged for repairs to be carried out on the vehicle that struck Mr Parsons, pretending that the damage was caused by a collision with a deer.

Lord Armstrong adjourned the case until Friday.

In a statement released through Police Scotland, Mr Parsons' family described him as a "much-loved husband, dad and grandad".

They said: "When he said goodbye and set off on his charity cycle from Fort William that Friday, none of us expected it to be the last time we would be able to see or speak to him."

Mr Parsons, who spent time teaching his grandson how to fish, loved sports and was a keen golfer. He also spent many years involved with rugby at all levels including playing, coaching mini/midi rugby and refereeing.

The family added: "Throughout the six years since he went missing and then the subsequent criminal investigation, we had been left with many unanswered questions and it has been heartbreaking for each and every member of the family being unable to get these answers.

"As you can imagine, not knowing what has happened to someone and then the devastating news that we were provided has taken its toll on all of us as a family."

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The family added that "justice has been done" and thanked all those who have shown support, including Police Scotland, and all those who searched for Mr Parsons when he went missing, including volunteers and mountain rescue teams.

Detective Inspector Fraser Spence, of Police Scotland's Major Investigation Team, said: "The brutal and uncaring actions of these men left the family of Mr Parsons distraught, not knowing what had happened to him for many years. It appeared that he had just disappeared into thin air.

"Despite exhaustive investigation work carried out by officers and extensive coverage in the media, the brothers did not come forward to disclose what happened.

"In December 2020, information provided to officers led to the brothers being arrested and then charged. Further searches were carried out and in January 2021 human remains were found in a remote area of ground close to a farm near the A82. These were identified as Anthony Parsons.

"Our thoughts are very much with the family and friends of Mr Parsons and I hope that the court outcome now gives them some kind of closure."