Police are re-appealing to the public as they continue their search for a Highland pensioner who was reported missing six months ok.
James Paton was last seen at 1.30pm on December 23 driving his silver Dacia Duster at Ruttle Woods near the River Beauly where he was going to walk his dog.
His car was traced at the spot at 4.30pm that afternoon with his spaniel collie cross dog inside, but there was no trace of the 73-year-old.
Police said there have been no further sightings of the pensioner – and family and friends have not heard from him – in the six months that have passed since.
Multi-agency searches have been carried out involving search advisors, police dogs and the dive and marine unit, fire crews , Dundonnel Mountain Rescue Team and the HM Coastguard helicopter.
Members of the local community have also joined the efforts to find Mr Paton.
Police said today “despite these efforts no further information has come to light that has helped us locate Mr Paton”.
Sergeant Brian Bisset of Beauly Police Office said: “This is a very upsetting time for Mr Paton’s family who are extremely worried as six months have now passed without any further sightings or contact from him, which is totally out of character.
“Despite the passage of time, we will continue to carry out inquiries to trace him, and we will follow up any information we receive. I would again appeal to anyone with any information that may assist our investigation, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to contact 101 quoting reference number 3111 of 23 December 2019.”
Mr Paton is described as being white, 5ft 8ins in height and of stocky build with grey hair and a beard.
He wears glasses and when he was last seen he was wearing black trousers with a purple jumper, a green fleece jacket and brown boots.
