The family of missing Arbroath man Iain Mowatt have told how the passage of time hasn’t made his disappearance any easier.
Mr Mowatt has been missing since 2007 but — almost a decade on — his friends and family still live in the hope that he can be traced safe and well.
He was going through a difficult time when he disappeared and an extensive search was carried out by divers at Arbroath Harbour following his disappearance.
Searches were also undertaken at the cliffs as well as in caves and woods but no trace or clue has ever been found despite extensive appeals.
Mr Mowatt’s sister Sonya said she will never give up hope despite no confirmed sightings in nine years.
She said: “Every possible sighting of Iain reported to me has been checked by police but unfortunately it wasn’t him.
“Nine years and it doesn’t get any easier…it’s the not knowing.
“Maybe he’s homeless living on the streets somewhere.
“Maybe he doesn’t know his name or that he has a family that’s looking for him.
“Maybe he’s started a new life and wants to forget about his old one.
“However, I don’t think this is the case.
“Iain loved his family and was so close to his nephew Josh.”
She said that even if he has started a new life all they want is a phone call to tell them he is safe so they can move on with their lives.
Sonya said there is not a day that goes by when she doesn’t think about him.
“His mum, dad, two other sisters, nephews, nieces and other family and friends would love to see him again,” she said.
“He’s in our thoughts every day but I find birthdays and Christmases hit me harder.
“I would love for my mum and dad to hear from their only son.
“Everyone’s getting older and although we get on with everyday life, it has just never been the same since that day he went away.”
Mr Mowatt is described as six feet four inches tall, heavily built, with brown hair and blue eyes.
He also has several tattoos including one of a panther on his right arm and a tribal design on his back.
When last seen, he was wearing a light grey hooded top, as well as a green and white-hooped Celtic football shirt, combat trousers and white trainers.
Anyone who knows where he is or who has information that could assist Police Scotland in tracing him should call 101 or contact Crimestoppers in confidence and complete anonymity on 0800 555 111.