The body of a woman has been found off the north coast of Caithness following a search by Wick Lifeboat.
Formal identification has yet to take place but it is thought to be that of an Australian tourist who went missing on Monday morning.
Lynne Radke, 46, was reported missing from John O’Groats after failing to return to her hotel.
Police cordoned off Harbour Road in Wick this afternoon as the local lifeboat crew returned to the pier after making the grim discovery.
A police spokeswoman said: “Police Scotland can confirm that the body of a woman has been recovered in the Duncansby Head area.
“Police were informed at around 3.35pm this afternoon. Formal identification is yet to take place, however the family of Lynne Radke have been informed.”
Searches have been ongoing for Ms Radke since Monday and police, local Coastguard teams and Wick Lifeboat have been involved.
Wick Lifeboat was also launched on Thursday when it called out to search the shoreline between Wick and John O’Groat’s pier.
Police previously confirmed that they had received reports of sightings of Ms Radke at various locations but were unable to trace her.
