Search needs volunteers to solve walker mystery
Search and rescue volunteers hoping to solve the mystery of missing walker Neil Skinner are organising a co-ordinated hike in the Bridge of Orchy area to mark the first anniversary since his disappearance.
Neil’s daughter Kate Armitage has accepted help from voluntary search service Beneath The Surface, joined by volunteers who are being asked to sign up for the weekend search in May.
The 71-year-old’s family, including his brother and sister who are also in their 70s, will be retracing some of his footsteps from the Victoria Bridge car park to the remote camping spot at Loch Dochard, where he spent his first night and later returned by himself to wait for friends who were due to rejoin him five days later.
Neil’s family will also be putting up missing posters along the route and plan to place a memorial plaque near where his tent was discovered, along with his belongings still inside, walking poles stuck in the ground and his overnight oats still soaking for breakfast.
Kate told The Oban Times this week: “It was a very kind offer from Phil at Beneath The Surface. He’s looking for experienced walkers and hikers to join him and wants to cover new ground. A Facebook page has been set up and he particularly wants to hear from people who would be happy to wild camp. It’s so far away from civilisation that time going back to hotels would be a waste.
“It’s been very difficult with the recent Nicola Bulley case... my seven-year-old Oscar was asking questions and wanting to know if they found her body why hadn’t grandpa been found.
“Police called me about a month ago, there’s a new man in charge, but he said they were still as baffled as ever and couldn’t throw more resources at it for searches unless anything else comes up, but Dad’s case will stay open. They are still very confused to what could have happened.”
Kate continued: “A walker had been in touch after the police’s last public appeal in November. He’d walked past dad’s tent at 1.50pm – the same day (May 8) that dad had parted from his friends. The walker said his dog barked so he turned round and saw a man pop his head out of the tent, that must’ve been dad.
“Not knowing what happened to him is not getting any easier. I’ve thought of all the different scenarios that could’ve led to him walking away from his tent. Did he walk off with someone he was chatting to – Dad would talk to anyone – and get disorientated and lost on his way back? He got lost the year before while holidaying on Skye with the same friends, Mountain Rescue had to be called out.”
Specialist officers carried out extensive police searches in the Bridge of Orchy area at the time Kate’s father went missing – the nearby loch was also searched.
Mr Skinner, from Doncaster, is described as 5ft 8in tall, with short white hair, a white goatee-type beard and wearing glasses. He was wearing a green jacket and grey walking trousers when he disappeared.
Anyone who may have information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101.
Information on joining the Hike for Neil can be found here: www.facebook.com/gro ups/2535972176540639/?ref=s hare_group_link.