The family of a Perthshire sailor who vanished in Dubai five years ago is still hoping his mysterious disappearance may be solved.
Originally from Killin, Leading Seaman Timmy MacColl was last seen at 2am local time on May 27 in 2012 during shore leave from HMS Westminster.
Despite extensive inquiries his fate remains a riddle and his death was registered in 2014.
Timmy, 27, lived in Gosport, Hampshire, with wife Rachael and children Cameron and Skye. Another daughter, Eriskay, now four, was born after he went missing.
Following the fifth anniversary of his disappearance his mother Sheena, 54, of Killin has spoken of her hopes for answers despite the passage of time.
“I don’t want to go to my grave without answers and I don’t believe he drowned,” she said in an interview.
“Somebody must know something. I no longer expect the phone to ring every day with news but I never give up hope.
“I want Timothy to be alive, but it’s been so long.
“We expected he would quickly rock up somewhere.
“Eventually, you’re filled with nothingness.
“I know he’s not coming back. But I still want him found.”
Timmy was last seen by a taxi driver who picked him up outside a nightclub and then dropped him at Port Rashid where his ship was based.
Navy Special Investigation Branch officers travelled to Dubai to assist police and CCTV coverage was examined in an effort to establish Mr MacColl’s movements.
At the time his family said it was out of character for him not to contact them.
Two years after his death the Royal Navy applied for Mr MacColl to be declared dead despite reservations from his family.
