A man’s body discovered on the Isle of Rum yesterday is believed to be a kayaker who went missing off the west coast in January.
Police confirmed that the family of Jason Chung Wai-Ho, who failed to return from a paddle off the coast of Traigh Beach near Arisaig, has been informed.
A member of the public notified officers after finding the body at about lunchtime yesterday.
Mallaig Lifeboat, Coastguard teams and mainland officers were involved in transferring the body back to the mainland in Mallaig.
Mr Chung Wai-Ho was last seen on January 13 with a red single-person kayak.
The 39-year-old, from the Glasgow area, was warned by a police officer and volunteer lifeboat crewman about the dangers of the sea conditions.
His disappearance sparked a major land, air and sea search operation.
The body was found yesterday on the shore on the Isle of Rum, about 20 miles from where Mr Chung Wai-Ho was last seen.
A police spokeswoman said: “Following a report from a member of the public, a body has been recovered from the shoreline of the Isle of Rum. The body has been recovered to the mainland by officers, who attended with the Coastguard.
“The family of Jason Chung Wai-Ho, who has been missing from the Arisaig area since January 13, has been informed.
“A further update will be issued when formal identification is complete.”
Mallaig Lifeboat, Coastguard rescue helicopters and police with search dogs had all previously been looking for Mr Chung Wai-Ho.
Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, Skye Mountain Rescue Team and the Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA) had also joined the hunt at different times.
In January his family said in a statement issued through police that they wished to thank all those that had searched for Jason and that his disappearance was “completely out of character.”
The body is yet to be formally identified.