Specialist police officers and dog teams were searching the Brodie area of Moray yesterday as the hunt for missing Aberdeen man Wayne Macmillan intensified.
Concerns for the health of the 45-year-old were raised last week by friends who had not heard from him in days.
It has since been discovered that he travelled between Inverness and Aberdeen during the past week.
The last sighting was of Mr Macmillan arriving by a number 10 service Stagecoach bus outside Brodie Countryfare at around 1pm on Saturday September 8.
Mr Macmillan, who has a distinctive tattoo of a face on the back of his head, has not been in touch with any of his family or friends since.
He is from the Garthdee area of Aberdeen and is known to frequent the Elgin and Inverness areas, and also likes to go camping around the Isle of Skye in the West Highlands.
A significant search operation was launched at Brodie yesterday, as officers assisted by police dogs scoured the area looking for clues to his whereabouts.
He is around 6ft tall and has a stud piercing under his bottom lip, while both his earlobes are stretched.
When last seen he was wearing a black T-shirt and black trouser or dark blue jeans.
Anyone who lives in or around Brodie Countryfare is asked to check outbuildings, sheds or garages just in case Mr Macmillan had taken shelter in them.
Detective Inspector Allen Shaw asked the public to get in touch with the police if they have had any sightings of the missing man.
He said: “Wayne has some distinctive features which we would hope that members of the public who have seen him would remember.
“I would urge anyone who has seen a man matching his description or if you know where he might be to please get in touch as soon as possible by contacting Police on 101.
“We would also appeal to Wayne directly to get in touch if he sees this appeal. We want to ensure he is safe and well.
“I would also ask anyone who lives in the vicinity of Brodie Countryfare to check any outbuildings, garages or sheds in case Wayne has taken shelter.
“It has been a number of days since we last had a sighting of Wayne so please still get in touch even if you think your information might be too old.”