Hopes of finding a well-known fisherman alive off the west Highland coast were last night fading after a second day of searches.
Teams were out again yesterday morning but failed to find any trace of Alasdair Macleod, 57, of Applecross.
Coastguard teams began scouring the area after his vessel, the Varuna, was spotted on rocks at around 2.30pm on Monday just north of Applecross Bay.
Police sergeant Bruce Crawford spoke of the lack of progress following a busy second day in the area.
He said: “Sadly our activity has not located Mr Macleod and the search will resume in the morning.
“I’m grateful for the support of the different agencies and volunteers who have come together in an effort to trace Mr Macleod.”
The ongoing search involved a major response from coastguard and RNLI teams across the Highlands, with Applecross Lifeboat taking the lead on the operation from first light yesterday morning.
RNLI volunteers from Loch Ewe, Applecross, Gairloch, Achiltibuie, Appin, Kyle and Inverness were scouring the shoreline along with two experienced kayakers.
Lifeboat crews were also searching the sea with the help of fishermen on board local vessels.
The Stornoway search and rescue helicopter was also part of the search operation.
The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said: “The crews are searching in conditions with only half a mile visibility, as well as being very overcast and misty.”
The popular fisherman, well known for his prawn fishing, was also a valued member of his community, as chairman of the Applecross Community Council.
He is believed to have been wearing orange oilskins and yellow wellington boots when he set off to go fishing.
Councillor Derek MacLeod from Wester Ross, Strathpeffer and Lochalsh spoke of how the popular fisherman’s disappearance had left the whole region in a state of disarray.
He said: “He was very active and very well liked and known in the community and when something like this happens in a small community, it really shakes it to the foundation.”
