The families of missing people from across the north of Scotland have been contacted following the discovery of human remains at an Aberdeenshire marina.
Police investigating the find at Whitehills near Banff have not yet identified the body, but have informed families searching for their loved ones.
Those contacted include the parents of Lachlan Simpson from Sutherland who vanished after a country dance more than five weeks ago.
The 22-year-old, from the village of Embo, was last seen outside the marquee tent in Dornoch at about 1.30am on Sunday, July 26.
Local man Albert Ritchie spotted the floating remains – which are understood to have been in the water for some time – on Wednesday afternoon while walking near the picturesque harbour.
Shocked by what he had seen, Mr Ritchie said he hoped the body would bring comfort to a family seeking news of a loved one.
Last night a police spokesman said: “Families of all relevant missing persons have been advised. That is done at the start before a formal identification is made.”
He added that the identification process in this case is expected to be lengthy.
It is understood that rough seas and a strong northerly wind may have washed the body through the harbour entrance at Whitehills and into the slipway area.
Alan Downie, chairman of the local harbour commissioners, said the village was shocked by what had happened.
“We still haven’t heard if it’s a male or female, or where it’s come from,” he said. “It must have been quite a sight to see. Certainly not good for anyone to come across that.
“I’ve been wracking my brain to think who might have been missing but can’t think of anybody. I can’t ever remember a body being sucked into the harbour like this.”
Mr Downie, who runs a nearby fish processing factory, said if the body had not been washed into the marina if may have been swept down the coast and never found.
“Hopefully it might put a family to rest now that the body has been found,” he added.
A spokeswoman for UK charity Missing People said: “We would advise families of missing people to make contact with the police leading the investigation into their missing family member if they have reason to believe that the discovery of an unidentified body may be that of their loved one.
“In addition, families can call the charity for support on our free, 24/7, confidential helpline, 116 000.”