The moderator of the Church of Scotland has offered prayers for the men lost with the sinking of a fishing boat in the Western Isles, as he revealed one of the victims was a relative.

Chris Morrison, 27, was one of two men who died when the Louisa sank near Mingulay a week ago, and a third man remains missing.

A fourth crew member, Lachlan Armstrong, was rescued after clinging to some rocks.

Rt Rev Dr Angus Morrison, Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, said: "It was with a sense of shock and sadness that I learned of the sinking of the Louisa off Mingulay, with tragic loss of life.

"Since then, my thoughts and prayers, as those of us all in the Church of Scotland, have been with the families of those who lost their lives, and with Lachlan the sole survivor.

"For me the sadness of this event has a very personal element, as one of the crew lost, Chris Morrison, was a relative. Chris will be laid to rest in his native Harris today."

Mr Morrison was the grandson of the Moderator's cousin.

Martin Johnstone, 29, from Caithness, also died in the tragedy last Saturday.

The missing fisherman has been named as Paul Alliston, 42, from Lewis.

Mr Armstrong, 27, also from Lewis, managed to swim to shore and clung to rocks until he was rescued by a lifeboat.

An investigation will be carried out by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch.

The Moderator said: "Island communities are no strangers to tragedies at sea.

"One of the great strengths of these communities, however, is the way in which they come together to support one another, especially at difficult times such as this.

"I know that in every community of the Western Isles people will be grieving with and praying for the bereaved families. Such solidarity will help mitigate the pain and grief."

A "massive" search for Mr Alliston will take place on Saturday.

Police, partners and volunteers continued searches on Friday on the coast around Mingulay, Sandray, Berneray and Pabbay.

Barra Lifeboat posted online on Friday: "There is to be a massive land search on both Barra and South Uist with assistance from Police Scotland, the Hebrides Search and Rescue Team and local coastguards. Could as many people as possible please meet in Castlebay Hall at 9am and at Ludag at 9am."

Police Scotland said they and partner organisations have been "overwhelmed by the tremendous response and assistance in the land and sea search efforts provided by the community".