Walking poles have been found in Glencoe which may have belonged to a walker last seen in September.
Robin Garton vanished on Friday September 25 and despite extensive searches the 69-year-old from Devizes in Wiltshire has not been found.
However, a set of Lecki telescopic walking poles in black and gold have now been recovered from the Aonach Eagach ridge area of Glencoe where searches have focused.
Mr Garton’s family have been made aware of the find and are assisting police with identifying the poles.
They were photographed recently by a walker who subsequently sent the pictures to Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team.
The team and police divers carried out an extensive search of the surrounding area where the poles were located but no further items were found to aid the investigation.
A police spokesman urged anyone who may have left or lost poles on the ridge between Meall Dearg and Caolasnacon to contact officers on 101.
He added: “Anyone planning to walk in the Glencoe area is asked to bear the ongoing search in mind and to report anything they feel may assist inquiries to police or the local mountain rescue team.”
Mr Garton is known to have checked out of the Kings House Hotel at about 8am on September 25.
His black Volkswagen Passat estate was found a few miles further north at Achnambeithach, near the A82 Fort William to Glasgow road.
It is believed Mr Garton may have had made plans to walk in the Coire Nam Beith or Bidean Nam Bian areas.
Mr Garton is an experienced hillwalker and is described as 6ft 2in in height, of slim to medium build with fair hair which is slightly balding.
He occasionally wears glasses but it is not known what he was wearing when he set out.