Four weeks after he went missing from his home in Buckie the family of Buckie pensioner Ian Bramald has thanked the public for their “incredible” efforts at finding him.
Mr Bramald, 73, was last seen near Drybridge and Thornybank – two miles south of his Buckie home – on February 26.
Since then searches have been carried out throughout the area involving local volunteers, Police and Coastguard with assistance from specialist dog teams, RAF and Police helicopters and Police divers.
Joining searchers was Mr Bramald’s son James, who said: “We think it is incredible that so much has been done to try and find him by so many people, the police and other agencies.
“We are delighted by all that effort and I know that although he has not been found yet, it is not through a lack of effort that is for sure.
“It has been a great comfort to us, especially my mother Shirley, to realise there has been so many people in the community reaching out by volunteering and spending their own time to help the search. That was really good to see and has helped us at this time.
“We now just want some closure, to find him, in whatever state just does not matter, just so we can bring him home and take care of him.”
The family have created their own posters for distribution around the area as a reminder to people that they are still trying to locate Mr Bramald, who suffers from dementia. It was thought at the time of his going missing that he may have been attempting to return to his native Yorkshire.
Police Scotland say that searches are continuing with Inspector Colin Mowat issuing a new appeal for anyone with information to contact them. He said: “Obviously it is a great concern that Mr Bramald has not yet been traced despite the significant resources that have been used to look for him.
“We would ask people again to check their gardens and outbuildings for any sign of anything unusual.”
Mr Bramald is described as approximately 5ft. 10in to 6ft in height, with dark hair, which was receding on top.
When he was last seen he was wearing a short green waterproof jacket, corduroy trousers, a cap and glasses.