The worst fears of a Highland Perthshire couple were realised when human remains found in the capital were identified as their missing son.
Aspiring film-maker Alan Templeton had not been seen since November 2006, when he disappeared from a friend’s flat in Edinburgh.
However Lothian and Borders Police confirmed on Tuesday that remains discovered by a hillwalker on Arthur’s Seat in the city’s Holyrood Park on March 9 have been identified as the popular 25-year-old.
There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death but, as in all such cases, a report is to be sent to the procurator fiscal.
Mr Templeton’s parents Elizabeth and Douglas, who live in Ballinluig, near Pitlochry, have worked tirelessly in an attempt to trace him over the past five years and refused to give up hope that he would be found alive.
He had been staying with them for a few weeks before travelling to Edinburgh.
Mrs Templeton, a lay preacher in Blair Atholl, became involved with charity Missing People, becoming a spokeswoman for the cause. The family’s case featured in a recent BBC documentary, and in an interview with The Courier in February Mrs Templeton had described the pain of not knowing what had happened to Alan.
The couple travelled to Edinburgh with close friend Reverend Ian Murray to attend to funeral arrangements after confirmation that the remains were Alan’s.
Mr Murray will conduct the ceremony, to be held at 2pm on Friday at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, followed by cremation at Warriston Crematorium at 4pm.
Writing on a Facebook page set up to help track down Mr Templeton, his sister Kirsten said: ”Alan has sadly been found dead in Edinburgh. His identity has now been confirmed by police.
”We would like to thank all of you for all the support you have brought us over the last five and a half years, thank you for being Alan’s friends and for caring.”
His brother Calum is hoping to produce a booklet celebrating his life.
Close friends also paid tribute on the social networking site.
Bret Ehlert said: ”So sad to hear this news. I wish I could be there for the services.”
Jamie Medhurst posted: ”This is tragic news heartfelt sympathies from all at the department of theatre, film and television studies at Aberystwyth University where Alan was a very well-liked and well-respected student.”
Highland ward Councillor Kate Howie said her thoughts were with the family.
She said: ”The family has had a terrible time not knowing what had happened to Alan. I was so sad to hear that he is dead everyone was holding out hope that he would be discovered safe and well.”
In 2007 Mr Templeton’s friends screened a documentary he made to mark a year since he disappeared.
Mr Templeton, who was known to have suffered from depression, had returned from Paris a month before he went missing.