A three-day mass search party is being organised to help find a hillwalker who disappeared while out in the Highland Perthshire hills over five months ago.
An open invite hillwalk has been organised for August 5-7 by Ross Kinghorn’s partner Kirstie Ogilvie to scour the Beinn a’Ghlo area north of Blair Atholl.
Ross travelled by train on Monday, January 16 from Linlithgow to the village, where he planned to camp in Glen Tilt and climb the three peaks of Beinn a’ Ghlo over the course of three days.
The 57-year-old was then reported missing on Friday, January 20 when he failed to return home as planned.
The last reported sightings of Ross were on January 16.
A dedicated Facebook page has been set up for those looking to join the hillwalk search.
A statement from Kirstie read: “We are hoping to carry out a search for Ross on the weekend August 5 to 7.
“We would like to appeal to any hillwalkers who would be willing and able to assist in the search on either or both days.
“The search will take place in the Beinn a’Ghlo hills and further details are to follow.
“Thank you.”
The public hillwalk is the latest effort from Ross’ family to try and trace him.
Scottish Mountain Rescue stepped in to help the police in its search with helicopters brought in at the start of February.
In April, the largest charitable air support organisation in Europe, Civil Air Support, sent an aerial team out looking for Ross.
Posters have been put up in Blair Atholl and the surrounding area with Ross’ information, with appeals for local hikers and hillwalkers to stay on the lookout.
Earlier this month voluntary underwater dive search team ‘Beneath The Surface’ deployed scuba divers to Loch Loch and the River Tilt area in efforts to find him.
Kirstie said: “Thank you so much again to Beneath The Surface for travelling all the way up to Scotland to carry out further searches for Ross.
“Once again we are blown away by your kindness and willingness to help to bring Ross home.
“Sadly no further information was found.”
A ‘Please help find Ross Kinghorn’ Facebook was also set up as a hub for any potential updates on the search and currently has 638 members.
Speaking in April, Kirsite had not given up hope of his return with his disappearance leaving a “big void” in the hearts of his family.
Ross is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, slim build, with a bald head and is believed to be wearing a blue beanie hat, blue waterproof jacket, green fleece, grey walking trousers and brown boots.
He was wearing a dark puffa style jacket under his waterproof. He had a blue, silver and black walking pole along with small black rucksack and blue North Face gloves.
Ross was last allegedly sighted from a distance at the summit of Carn Liath, then on the ridge between Carn Liath and Braigh Coire Chruinn-Bhalgain and finally on the second summit Braigh Coire Chruinn-Bhalgain.
Those with any information can contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting ref 1588 of January 20.
A dedicated Facebook page to finding Ross can be found at www.facebook.com/groups/6140954582655978
To join the hillwalking search group, go to www.facebook.com/events/9331177733623343/?ref=newsfeed
