The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Search for pensioner resumes
A RIVER search has resumed in Highland Perthshire in an effort to solve the mysterious disappearance of a pensioner.
William Elder, 81, was last seen in December and police fear he may have fallen into the River Tummel.
They said that given his age and the length of time since he was last seen, there is a real possibility that he has fallen in the river and been swept away.
The search had been delayed due to high river levels but it was resumed, with Police Scotland’s marine support team out on the river in kayaks.
A spokesman for Police Scotland said: “As river levels have dropped, it is now safe to resume the search.”
The Greenock-based team searched the opposite bank from the one checked during their previous visit.
Efforts were concentrated on the stretch of river from Pitlochry down as far as Ballinluig.
Mr Elder was last seen at 10.45am on Tuesday December 10 at his home in James Court, Pitlochry.
He is described as being 5ft tall, of slim build and has brown, greying hair.
He was wearing a green waxed jacket, black trousers and brown boots.
Police said they had “considerable concern” for Mr Elder when they launched a fresh appeal for information in January.
CCTV footage from Pitlochry was scoured in an effort to discover what had become of Mr Elder and a helicopter was brought in to aid the search.
Dogs were also used in previous searches and police have recovered items, including a walking stick found east of Aldour Bridge that matched the description of one that was used by Mr Elder.
Mr Elder was known to have a passion for angling and regularly enjoyed local waterside walks.