Searches for fisherman missing near Applecross suspended

Alasdair Macleod's boat was spotted on rocks on Monday

Most teams involved in searches for a missing creel boat skipper have been stood down for a second day.

Coastguard and RNLI teams began the search effort after Alasdair Macleod's boat, Varuna, was found on rocks near Applecross at about 14:30 on Monday.

Sea and shore searches were resumed earlier on Tuesday, with a small number of teams, including Kyle lifeboat, making a final shoreline sweep.

Conditions have been challenging, with mist affecting visibility.

The Marine Accident Investigation Branch (MAIB) has started an investigation into the grounding of the vessel.

'Volunteers have come together'

It said it understood that the 57-year-old skipper had been working alone.

Mr Macleod is a well-known figure in the community of Applecross and blogs on life in the north west Highlands.

Mr Macleod's creel boat Varuna

Police Scotland has appealed for sightings of him. He was believed to have been wearing orange oilskins and yellow wellington boots when he set off to go fishing.

Sgt Bruce Crawford said: "Sadly our activity has not located Mr Macleod and the search will resume in the morning.

"I'm grateful for the support of the different agencies and volunteers who have come together in an effort to trace Mr Macleod."

Experienced kayakers

The alarm was raised on Monday after a member of the public reported that a boat had been seen on rocks with its engine running but with no-one onboard.

RNLI lifeboats from Kyle of Lochalsh and Portree and a coastguard helicopter were involved in the initial search before it was suspended for the night.

The Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA) said 10 fishing boats had also assisted with Monday's search.

The agency said a full-scale search operation resumed just after 06:00 on Tuesday.

Loch Ewe, Applecross, Gairloch, Achiltibuie, Appin, Kyle and Inverness coastguard rescue teams made searches of the coast and shoreline, along with two experienced kayakers.

Portree and Kyle lifeboats were tasked with searching the sea, alongside a large number of local fishing vessels.