Has anybody seen Ryan? That’s the call ringing out through Europe after a tangerine-clad garden gnome went missing from a Monifieth house last weekend.
Ryan Vandergnome disappeared from the garden of Stephen and Claire Forsyth on Saturday and has popped up at various locations across Scotland.
Mirroring the journey of his hero, Ryan Gauld, who was recently transferred to Sporting Lisbon, the gnome has been spotted at tourist attractions including Discovery Point, Edinburgh Castle and the Kelpies statues near Falkirk.
RMMV has even set up a Facebook page to catalogue its journey and is providing regular updates of its trip in pictures.
Its also been photographed saying his farewells outside granny and grandad Forsyth’s house as well as at Monifieth train station and outside Tannadice, where it said: “Thankfully everyone was really nice and understanding to my situation and I now have Ryan’s forwarding address… can’t wait to see him.”
Among its other Facebook posts are one in front of Edinburgh Castle saying: “Quick jaunt to the capital. Much better than being stuck in the garden.”
Another one of RMMV standing beside one of the penguins outside Discovery Point on Wednesday states: “Met a new friend today,” while others show him at the Kelpies statues.
A map tagging his travels has also appeared, pinpointing its route and stopping-off points.
Its intrepid journey has stumped Stephen and Claire, who are being driven mad by the updates and are demanding that the culprit comes clean.
Dozens of comments have been added to the posts from the people they most suspect, all denying their involvement, and Claire posted: “This is driving me mental! Lol, all the ‘suspects’ are here with me now and they have alibis.”
A spokesperson for the UK Border Agency said they were launching an investigation into whether RMMV holds a valid passport.
“We’ve been following his journey closely but as he’s so small he slipped through all the borders unseen,” the spokesperson said.
He added that agents were “following a positive line of inquiry” (Facebook) and are confident they will find him, stating: “We know where he’s going!”
Stephen’s boss, Lavy Jimerty, said: “As a responsible employer, we have offered some compassionate leave to Stephen as this Homer-esque voyage undertaken by someone of such small stature has obviously come as something of shock.
However, Stephen has refused any leave, believing working for clients at the office will help a little to fill the large void left by Ryan.”