Police in Scotland have renewed an appeal for information about a 66-year-old hillwalker who has been missing for a year after last being heard from in early September 2024.
Ian Ross was last in touch with his family on 6 September. His grey Dacia Duster was discovered in a car park near Beinn Alligin in Torridon in the west Highlands on 18 September; police believe the vehicle had been parked there since 8 September. Mr Ross was reported missing on 17 September after his family became concerned when they could not contact him.
Police described Mr Ross as white, about 5ft 10ins tall, of medium build, with grey hair and grey-blue eyes. It is not known what he was wearing when last seen, but officers said he was an experienced hillwalker and was likely to have been wearing walking boots and a waterproof jacket and carrying a rucksack.
Inspector Daniel Jack said extensive searches have been conducted in the year since Mr Ross was last seen. Drones fitted with artificial intelligence that can scan large areas and identify objects or patterns that appear out of place in the landscape have been deployed alongside searches by mountain rescue teams and the Search and Rescue Aerial Association. Police also said they have received support from members of the local community.
"A year on from when Ian was last heard from, we are appealing to anyone who is yet to speak to police or may have any information that could assist our inquiries to come forward," Insp. Jack said. He described the situation as "extremely upsetting" for Mr Ross's family and urged anyone with information, however small it may seem, to contact officers.
Police are specifically asking anyone who was in the area around Torridon on or about Sunday 8 September 2024 to get in touch. The appeal follows a year of inquiries and searches that, despite the use of new technology and co-ordinated efforts with partner organisations, have not located Mr Ross.
Detectives continue to investigate the circumstances of his disappearance and have asked anyone with information to contact Police Scotland. The appeal remains active as authorities seek to establish Mr Ross's movements in the days before his car was found.