The Swiss journalist was inducted into the World Curling Hall of Fame in 1997 in the "builder" category for his work promoting the sport.

In 1959 he founded Curling - a magazine in Switzerland which promoted the sport, and he also contributed articles to Scottish Curler.

Sautter-Hewitt founded the World Curling Media Association which still meets annually at the World Curling Championships.

He is the author of the book Curling Vademecum, which was published in 1993. 

"On behalf of the World Curling Federation I express our sincerest condolences to the family and friends of Erwin, and to the curling community in Switzerland," said Caithness.

"We are deeply indebted to him, for the many years of hard work promoting our sport. 

"Without people like Erwin, curling would not be in the healthy and growing position it is in today."

In his 1985 book International Guide to Curling, Robin Welsh said that Sautter-Hewitt was a "man steeped in the lore of the game and an international figure of repute".

Mike Thomson, a former secretary general of the WCF, added: "Erwin would have been much happier playing on a frozen Swiss lake than in an ice rink. 

"He was a great traditionalist and believed that Scotland's place as the 'home of curling' should always be upheld."