Searches continue for an elderly man reported missing in Argyll.
Nottingham born 84-year-old John Smith, who is known as Frank, was last seen on CCTV leaving the Crianlarich Hotel in Argyll at 7.15am on Thursday August 5.
Frank, who was visiting the area to do some hillwalking, is described as being 5ft 10 in height of slim build, with grey hair which is thinning on top.
He was last seen wearing a white shirt, blue jumper, dark coloured jacket, grey trousers, white hat and grey satchel style bag.
Since being reported missing, his grey Mazda 6 estate car has been located in a parking area frequently used by walkers to access Ben Cruachan.
Police say they have been conducting searches in the area on Sunday, 8 August with the assistance of the Mountain Rescue Team.
Appeal from concerned daughter
Writing to social media, his daughter Helen Bang said: “He came to visit last week. It was lovely to see him, it’s been 17 months.
“He then set off to do some fell walking in the Highlands (Ben Cruachan and somewhere else), staying at Crianlarich.
“We tried to dissuade him as although he is very fit and regularly does 12 mile walks around Nottingham, the mountains here are very challenging and he’d had difficulties when fell walking with my brother three years ago – had to be walked off the mountain by the mountain rescue people as he was so tired.
“My brother and sister had also tried to talk him out of it to no avail.
“He was supposed to check in with us each day after his walks. Apart from a very brief phone call to say he’d arrived at Crianlarich on Tuesday we’ve had radio silence since.
“I rang the hotel on Thursday morning – he was out but they confirmed he’d been seen on the Wednesday evening.
“He just didn’t bother to contact us to say he was safely back from Ben Cruachan. The hotel just confirmed he checked out very early Friday morning.
“He said he’d call in here on Friday as he’d be tired after his long walks and it’s a long drive back to Nottingham.
“He never showed up so we’ve assumed he went straight home but it would be nice to know…
“His mobile is as usual turned off. I get the answering phone when I call his Nottingham number.
“I’ve been struggling to sleep all week imagining him lying at the bottom of a hill somewhere.
“I have to assume he’s just not bothered keeping in touch because he doesn’t like being told what to do by his children. I’m sad about this as he and I have always been really close.
“For over 20 years he was my Mum’s full-time carer and not able to do these walks. I don’t begrudge him having fun, I just don’t want him to come to any harm and Scottish mountains are very challenging.”
Police statement
Inspector Emma Louise Scott of Dumbarton police station said: “We are growing increasingly concerned for Frank and considerable effort is being put into locating him by police and partner agencies.
“I would urge anyone who believes they have seen Frank or spoken to him at the any time since Thursday morning to get in touch urgently.
“I would also ask any other walkers in the area to be vigilant and if you believe you have any information which could help with the search then please come forward.
“Anyone who may have seen Frank, or who has any information on his whereabouts, is urged to contact Police Scotland via 101 quoting incident number 0922 of 7 August.”