Police have vowed to act on any fresh information about the mystery disappearance of a Fraserburgh pensioner a year ago.
William Ritchie failed to return home from one of his regular walks around the town on January 14 last year, and concerned neighbours raised the alarm.
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A huge land, sea and air search was launched, involving police, dog handlers and coastguards.
An abandoned railway between Strichen and Fraserburgh and Sandhaven harbour were among the areas thoroughly checked in the weeks after he vanished.
Police step down searches for missing Fraserburgh pensioner William Ritchie
The search was wound down over the summer when the force said they had exhausted every lead.
Now, as the first anniversary approaches on Monday, police have made a fresh appeal for information and said it was “extremely frustrating” they had not been able to find any trace of Mr Ritchie.
Detective Inspector Sam Buchan said the pensioner had been unwell in the weeks leading up to his disappearance, and was not as “fit and agile” as normal.
He said: “A major search operation was launched within Fraserburgh itself, on various roads and walking routes out of the town and the shoreline following reports that 90-year-old Bill Ritchie was missing.
“Numerous resources were called on to support the search including Police Scotland’s helicopter, the dog and dive units and police search advisers, with key areas revisited and searched again to ensure every possible route he might have taken was thoroughly checked. However despite our best efforts, to this day Bill remains missing.
“As our inquiries progressed, it became apparent that Bill had possibly been unwell in the weeks leading up to his disappearance – his usual routine had changed and he was described as looking frail and not as fit and agile as normal.
“Regardless he continued with his regular walks around the town, the shoreline and on rural routes and this information was used to direct our searches.
“It is extremely frustrating for us all not knowing exactly what happened to Bill but please be assured that we will continue to act on any new information that we receive and that the inquiry surrounding a missing person is never closed.”
Anyone with information should call 101.
