A major air, land and sea search was launched yesterday to find a teenager though to be missing on the Moray coast.
A dog walker had spotted the teenage boy – thought to be around 14 or 15 – shortly after 2pm clambering over cliffs which sheer drop into the Moray Firth.
Emergency services spent the afternoon scouring the coastline between Hopeman and Covesea, near Lossiemouth, after receiving a 999 call fearing for the unknown youngsters’ safety.
A helicopter from Inverness was sent to lead the search using infrared tracking equipment, with support from local coastguard crews from Lossiemouth, Buckie and Burghead.
Buckie lifeboat  also took part in the search, which became increasingly difficult as darkness set in around 5pm.
At first, the missing teen was believed to be a local student at Lossiemouth High School after one pupil failed to turn up to lessons.
However, that student was traced elsewhere shortly after 5pm.
Police stood the coastguard and lifeboat down about 6pm.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said inquiries were continuing.
He said “We received a call at the back of 2pm from a member of the public who reported concerns over a young male, aged 14 or 15, who was seen to be on the cliffs between Hopeman and Covesea.
“Officers remained at the scene during the afternoon trying to gain further information and coastguards carried out a search.”
He added: “There was no one reported missing.”