A Peterhead man found dead after vanishing on his way home from a night out has been described as “amazing”.
Ruairidh Sandison’s body was found on the coast, near Boddam, on Wednesday, six weeks after he went missing.
A massive search involving police, divers, a helicopter, coastguards and the RNLI was launched, with his desperate family and friends also joining the effort.
Last night, the 24-year-old’s heartbroken family described him as a “talented young man” with a huge future in front of him.
He was a keen musician, playing in a band, and enjoyed travelling.
In a statement, they said: “We would like to thank everyone for their support over the last six weeks and since Ruairidh was found on Wednesday.
“Ruairidh was an amazing, talented young man with many plans for the future and we are heartbroken that we will not now see these fulfilled.
“We would like to thank the police for all their hard work and also the coastguard and RNLI.
“We would like to say a particular thank you to all our and Ruairidh’s friends who have been amazing in their efforts to search for Ruairidh and willingness to help and support us.”
Mr Sandison was reported missing on Saturday, August 10 after failing to return home from a night out.
He was last seen in the Gadle Braes are of the town by friends, and CCTV picked him up in the area a short while later.
Despite the huge search effort, no trace of him was found and operation was scaled back two weeks later.
Last night, his friend Jordan Buchan – who had helped coordinate the unofficial search – said he was devastated.
“It’s hard to put into a few words the type of person Ruairidh was,” he said. “He was such a genuine, funny and kind person who lived life to the fullest. He was very selfless and always put others before himself.”