Big police presence at Fife beauty spot as officers contact Allan Bryant’s family

The Courier understands the family of the missing Fife man have been contacted regarding the search.

By Neil Henderson & Stephen Eighteen

April 8 2024, 4:27pm

Police and forensics officers at Auchtermuchty Common. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

A big police presence has been investigating at a Fife beauty spot for the past four days.

Three police vans remained at the small car park off the B936 at the entrance to Auchtermuchty Common on Monday afternoon.

Officers have been at the scene since at least Friday.

A large area has been cordoned off with police tape.

The Courier understands that police officers have been in contact with the family of Fife man Allan Bryant Jr, who has been missing since 2013, regarding the Auchtermuchty probe.

However, neither the police nor the family have confirmed whether specific information relating to his disappearance sparked the search.

Allan, from Glenrothes, has not been seen since leaving the town’s Styx nightclub on Caskieberran Road just after 2am on Sunday November 3 2013.

Police at Auchtermuchty Common since Friday

At least two blue crime scene tents have been erected in a remote area to the side of a path leading into the common.

A witness reported seeing a team of white-suited forensics officers focusing their activity on a clearing around 50 metres off the main path.

Police say they are dealing with an “ongoing inquiry”.

One nearby resident told The Courier they first saw police vehicles at Auchtermuchty Common on Friday.

She said: “It’s a remote spot so you tend to notice anything out of the ordinary – especially when it’s police.

“Various police vans and cars have been there throughout the weekend and ever since.”

Forensic officers in attendance. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Police at the scene. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Police presence for four days. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Officers search the area. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Forensic officers in Fife. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Two blue crime scene tents have been erected in remote area. Image: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

Locals have been shocked by the police investigation. All images: Steve Brown/DC Thomson

She added: “We’ve not had any officers at our door and everyone who lives close by has been told nothing at all.

“It’s quite shocking for us.

“Obviously it’s got to be something serious when there is so much police activity. It’s just so out of the ordinary.

“The area is used by dog owners and walkers and is usually very quiet.

“I’ve certainly never seen police activity here on anything like this sort of scale.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Officers are in attendance at Auchtermuchty Common to carry out inquiries in relation to an ongoing inquiry.”

In 2022, with the support of the Bryant family, The Courier produced a documentary, A Short Walk Home, investigating the disappearance of Allan and the ongoing search.