A fresh bid to solve the mystery of a pensioner who vanished without trace from Pitlochry is to be launched this week – a year after his disappearance.
William Elder, 81, was last seen on December 10 last year.
A lengthy search turned up no traceof him other than an abandoned walking stick matching the one Mr Elder used.
A new review has now been launched in the hope of making a breakthrough in the baffling case.
“Mr Elder is not forgotten, he is in our minds,” said Inspector Julie Robertson.“It is still an open case and currently undergoing a review by CID.”
Officers are sifting through allthe evidence gathered in the wake of the disappearance.They are seeking to establish if there are new avenues to be explored.
Mr Elder was last seen at 10.45am on Tuesday December 10 2013 at his home address in James Court, Pitlochry.
He is described as 5ft, of slim build with brown, greying hair.At the time he was wearing a green waxed jacket, black trousers and brown boots.
CCTV footage from Pitlochry was scoured in an effort to discover what had become of Mr Elder and a helicopter brought in, but to no avail.
Dogs were also used in searches and police recovered items including a walking stick that matched the description of one that was used by Mr Elder.
The aluminium stick was found east of Aldour Bridge.
Given Mr Elder’s age and thetime elapsed since he was last seen,police admit it is a real possibility that he fell into the river Tummel and was swept away.
A river search was undertaken afterMr Elder was reported missing but thiswas called off as winter weatherconditions made it too hazardous for the team involved.
The search resumed in March with Police Scotland’s marine support team out on the river in kayaks, but again nothing was found.
The Greenock-based team concentrated their efforts on the stretch of river fromPitlochry down as far as Balinluig.
Mr Elder was known to have a passion for angling and regularly visited thewaterside.
Anyone who thinks they may haveinformation that could be useful to thenew inquiry should contact PoliceScotland on 101 or speak to any police officer.