A major search has continued in Sutherland for a young chef missing since he attended a dance at the weekend after he had been drinking.
Lachlan Simpson is 22 today, but there is no birthday celebration as he hasn’t been seen since the early hours on Sunday morning.
Over 100 volunteers joined police officers, search and rescue dogs, coastguard, a helicopter and RAF Mountain Rescue team members searching in the Embo and Dornoch area.
It follows over 170 searching on Tuesday.
Lachlan was last sighted at 0130 hours on Sunday leaving the Sutherland Show dance in Dornoch. He is described as six feet in height, of slim/medium build with short fair hair and was wearing a green and white top.
Chief Inspector Colin Gough said it was known that he had been drinking in Dornoch on Saturday afternoon and into the evening. He had left the village to go down to the show ground on Dornoch Links and was last seen there at 1.30am on Sunday speaking to friends.
“There was obviously a level of intoxication, so we know he was possibly affected by alcohol by the time he left. He was in telephone contact with his friends to say he was going to meet them in Dornoch but he never turned up. “
Mr Gough said he remained hopeful Lachlan would be found safe and well. The focus of the search would continue to be local but would be widened if necessary.
He said: "Police and partners are very grateful to everyone who has assisted with the search for Lachlan so far. A huge number of people turned up last night and now again this morning to take part in searches.
"We would again urge local residents to continue to search gardens, outbuildings and sheds for anything that may assist search efforts. Multi-agency searches will continue today and we would take this opportunity to re-appeal to anyone with information on Lachlan's movements over the weekend to contact Police on 101.
"As time passes we are becoming increasingly anxious for Lachlan's wellbeing but are committed to utilising all resources available to us, in conjunction with the tremendous effort from the local community, to locate him as soon as possible."
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