Many missing person appeals are shared every year across Dundee, Perthshire, Angus and Fife, and thankfully most are usually found within days.
But several families across Scotland will be hoping 2024 brings fresh answers in their often long search for missing friends and loved ones.
Across Tayside and Fife a total of eight people have been missing long term.
Some have been out of touch with family and friends for weeks and months, while others have been missing for years.
The local cases include several of the longest-running missing person enquiries in Scotland, including the case of one Fife man who has not been seen for 30 years.
If your loved one is missing, or you’d like to issue a fresh appeal, contact The Courier via livenews@thecourier.co.uk
Paul Johnson
The St Andrews resident, now 76, left an address on Hay Fleming Avenue at around 10pm on Wednesday, September 15 2021.
He was then seen a short time later at around 10.45pm on Hepburn Gardens, at the junction with Lawhead Road.
Despite extensive searches and enquiries carried out, he has not been seen since.
Speaking a year after he went missing, Paul’s family say they still have hope he can be found.
They said: “At no point when our wonderful Dad, husband and Grandad went missing did it cross our minds that a year on we would still be searching for answers.
“We continue to move forward with hope.”
Anyone who believes they may have seen Paul or who has any information which could help trace him is asked to call officers on 101, quoting incident number 0266 of 16 September 2021.
Robert Watson
Officers are continuing to search for 51-year-old Robert Watson, missing from Arbroath since Tuesday, November 2 2021.
Extensive enquiries have been ongoing and officers have established Robert’s phone was found in the King’s Drive area, where a member of the public found the phone and dropped it off at Arbroath Police Station.
It has also been established that Robert was seen in the Kings Drive area around 10.30pm on November 2.
Anyone who has seen Robert or who has any information as to his whereabouts is asked to call Police Scotland via 101, quoting incident number 1002 of November 3 2021.
Think you can help?
Police Scotland works with the Missing People Charity – the only charity in the UK which specialises in bringing missing children and adults back together with their families.
They can be contacted via telephone on freephone 116 000 or by visiting the Missing People website.
Kenneth Jones
Last seen in 1998 when he was 18 years old, Kenneth George Jones left his home address in Ancrum Court, Glenrothes at around 7am before he vanished.
Fife missing person coordinator sergeant Peter Wordie said: “This case is subject to regular review and Kenneth’s mother and aunt have never given up hope of finding him.
“The Missing People Charity have worked closely with them throughout the years to try and keep Kenneth’s disappearance in the public eye.
“They have reproduced an image recently which gives an artist impression on how Kenneth may look in the present day. He will be in his 40s.
“I would urge anyone who recognises the image or believes they may have seen Kenneth to please contact us as soon as possible via 101.”
Peter McGuire
On Wednesday, January 27 1993, Peter McGuire, who was 21 at the time, went missing from his home in High Valleyfield. He was seen later that day leaving Carnegie swimming pool in Dunfermline.
An extensive investigation was launched to trace Peter, resulting in his car being recovered near the Forth Road Bridge.
But there have been no further sightings or information regarding his whereabouts in the 30 years since he vanished.
Police Scotland’s Fife Division is continuing to carry out investigative work.
Allan Bryant
November 2023 marked 10 years since Allan was last seen in a Glenrothes nightclub.
Then 23 years old, Allan was pictured on CCTV in Caskieberran Road, shortly after 2am on Sunday, November 3 2013.
The Courier’s documentary ‘A Short Walk Home: The Disappearance of Allan Bryant Jnr’ examines Allan’s disappearance from Glenrothes, taking a fresh look at the case.
Allan is described as white, 5ft 6ins tall, medium build, with short brown hair, blue eyes and tattoos on both arms.
When last seen, he was wearing a Voi t-shirt with three bands of colour – navy on the top, grey in the middle and white on the bottom, dark-coloured denim jeans and grey leather plimsolls.
Those who may be able to help can call Police Scotland on 101 or email OperationToner@scotland.pnn.police.uk.
Alexander Clarke
In June 2023, police renewed an appeal to trace missing Kirkcaldy man Alexander ‘Sandy’ Clarke who disappeared 10 years earlier.
Sandy, who was 37 at the time, was last seen at around 2am on Tuesday, June 4 2013 leaving Victoria Hospital and walking east along Hayfield Road.
Police describe him as being 5ft 10ins tall, with a slim or average build, short slightly receding brown hair, and brown/green eyes.
He has tattoos on both arms and a tattoo on his neck of a woman’s name.
When last seen, he was carrying two Sports Direct bags containing some clothing.
Iain Mowatt
Missing from his home in North Grimsby, Arbroath, police are still searching for Iain Mowatt.
Aged 36 when he vanished, Iain has not been seen since August 12 2007 and officers are still looking for information that could help trace him.
Iain is 6ft 4ins in height and of heavy build, with brown hair and blue eyes. He also has several tattoos including one of a panther on his right arm and a tribal design on his back.
When last seen, Iain was wearing a light grey hooded top, as well as a green and white-hooped Celtic football shirt, combat trousers and white trainers.
Ross Kinghorn
Ross Kinghorn, 57, travelled by train on Monday, January 16 from Linlithgow, with the intention of going hill walking in the Bridge of Tilt area.
The most recent confirmed sighting was around 9am on January 16 after he arrived in Blair Atholl.
It is believed he set out for the Beinn a’ Ghlò hills nearby the same day.
He was reported missing on Friday, January 20 after failing to return as planned.
Ross is described as white, 5ft 8in tall, slim build, with a bald head and was believed to be wearing a blue beanie hat, blue waterproof jacket, green fleece, grey walking trousers and brown boots.
He was also in possession of a small two-wheel trolley which was among the items recovered.
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