Police searching for a missing hillwalker say they are growing “increasingly concerned for his welfare.”
Missing 61 year old James Robertson, known as Jim, vanished over a week ago.
Now police have appealed directly to anyone who was in the Derry Lodge area of the Mar Lodge Estate between Tuesday, 1 March, and Wednesday, 2 March.
In particular officers would like to speak to anyone who stayed at Bob Scott’s Bothy close to Derry Lodge, which is around eight miles from Braemar, during the same period as it is understood James had used the bothy as his base before setting out on a day’s trek.
Detective Inspector Norman Stevenson said: “Jim is an experienced hillwalker who has been to the Cairngorms before but as time goes on we are becoming increasingly concerned for his welfare.
“We have no clear indication of the exact route he intended to take so we are appealing to anyone who may have seen him or spoken to him either at the bothy or on the hill to get in touch.”
James is described as around 5 ft 10 inches in height, of medium build with short grey hair and wearing glasses. He may also be carrying a large rucksack.
When he was last seen he was wearing dark clothing, walking boots, trousers and a jacket and hat. He was also wearing his glasses this time.
Officers were unable to carry out searches yesterday, Tuesday, 8 March, because of high wind and poor weather forecast but mountain rescue teams hope to take advantage of improved weather forecasts for Wednesday, 9 March, to resume searches for James.
Anyone with information on James’ whereabouts is asked to contact police on 101.
Note to editors:
An image is attached which shows James at Aberdeen Bus Station at 1pm on 29 February, 2016.