THE FAMILY of missing Scots sailor Timmy MacColl will head to Dubai in the new year as the search for information continues.
The 27-year-old, who is originally from Killin, vanished suddenly while on shore leave in Port Rashid on May 27 this year.
His ship, the Westminster, was berthed there but returned home to Portsmouth without him following his sudden disappearance.
He was last seen by two fellow sailors, who reportedly helped him into a taxi outside a cafe, but never made it back to his ship.
Despite appeals that have been sent around the world, for wife Rachael and his three children, including two-month Eriskay, the heartbreaking wait for information continues.
They now face a first Christmas without him, but though the wait goes on, one wish has been granted.
A meeting of those involved in the investigation, including the Ministry of Defence and Dubai Police, will take place in early 2013.
And the sailor’s family have been invited to take part in the meeting something they have wanted for a long time.
“I know that he has been missing for a long time but the hope is always there,” Rachel said.
“There are lots of possible scenarios.
“I only have the word of a couple of sailors that they put him in a taxi and we don’t know what happened after that drove away.
“I know of one woman who was missing for two years only for it to be discovered that she was in a Dubai prison, unable to make even a phone call.
“My message is just to come forward with information.
“There is a reward of £250,000 that has been put up for information that leads to him being found.”
Anyone who has information is asked to call Hampshire Police on 0845 0454545.
mmackay@thecourier.co.uk