Police have released an image of the backpack that missing teenager Liam Smith has in his possession as the search for the 16-year-old continues.
The Westhill Academy pupil went missing from the Queens Road area of Aberdeen on Saturday.
He was captured wearing the distinctive camouflage North Face Borealis Classics bag on CCTV at Union Square on Saturday November 17, shortly before he boarded a 202 Stagecoach bus at 1.11pm.
It is understood he bought a ticket for Raemoir Road in Banchory.
Police search activity and inquiries continue to focus in this area today.
Chief Inspector Martin Mackay said: “Liam is very tall – around 6ft4 – and walks in a distinctive way so we have been asking for members of the public to get in touch if they remember seeing a young male matching his description.
“I hope that this image of Liam’s bag assists – and ask anyone who has spotted a teenager with a similar backpack who might have been Liam to get in touch. Likewise if anyone finds this bag please contact the police as soon as possible.
“Our searches continue today in Banchory and we still continue to ask anyone who was on the 1.11pm 202 bus to Deeside to contact us – there are a number of people we know got on the bus at the same time and bought tickets to the same destination.
“The bus would have made a number of stops including Cults, Peterculter, Drumoak, Crathes and Banchory.
“Extensive CCTV and house-to-house inquiries are also ongoing and I would urge anyone who hasn’t yet spoken to the police to get in touch if you have footage or information which could help.”
Liam is described as white, 6ft 4ins tall and of a slim build.
He has short brown hair and when he was last seen he was wearing a dark top, blue jeans, Nike Air Max trainers and his camouflage bag.
Anyone with information is asked to contact police on 101 quoting ref. no. 1302 of Nov 18.