Tributes have been paid to a dog walker who was found dead in mysterious circumstances at an Aberdeen beauty spot.
Margaret McNolty, 52, was discovered in a burn at Maidencraig Nature Reserve, near Hazlehead, on Tuesday morning. She had been reported missing to police shortly before.
She was walking her black collie when she met her death, with the dog still by her side when police arrived. Detectives are still treating the death as “unexplained”, with a large-scale police presence still in the area yesterday.
A total of 18 officers are currently working on the investigation, with an underwater search unit, search teams and detectives all deployed.
The entrance to Ms McNolty’s home in Fara Close, Woodend, remained out-of-bounds yesterday with officers remaining in the property as the investigation gathers pace.
Post-mortem results have yet to be confirmed.
Ms McNolty’s son Jamie, who lives nearby, declined to speak to the Press and Journal yesterday.
Meanwhile, her neighbours recalled a kind woman and spoke of a community in shock.
One woman, who asked not to be named, said: “Mags would speak to anyone, she was a very friendly woman and we just can’t understand what happened. We would always see her out with her dog and she would always say hello. Around here we all look out for each other, if anyone needs help you just knock on each other’s door.
“It is tragic and we are all shocked around here.”
Another neighbour added: “It is so sad. Mags had not been here for that long. She was quiet, kept herself to herself, but would always say hello when she was out and about.”
Ms McNolty, a grandmother, had been resident at Fara Close for the past two years and lived in a property linked to the nearby Bressay Brae sheltered housing complex.
She was found in the burn by a fellow dog walker around 11am on Tuesday. A large part of Maidencraig Nature Reserve, a popular walk through for pupils at Hazlehead Academy, remained sealed off to the public yesterday with several officers still guarding the scene. Outside Ms McNolty’s home were several police vehicles.
Police have appealed for witnesses who may have seen Ms McNolty out and about in the early hours of Tuesday. She was last seen wearing a bright orange hooded top and officers hope the garment may be recalled by those in the area at the time.