Heartbroken daughter of man who vanished near Scots loch two years ago 'gives up hope'

The daughter of a man who vanished near a Scots loch two years ago says the family have given up hope of finding him alive.

Dad-of-four Neil Skinner, 71, was last seen on May 8, 2022, near the remote Loch Dochard, Bridge of Orchy, in Argyll and Bute.

The retired nurse, from Doncaster in Yorkshire, had been holidaying in the Scottish Highlands with friends but was last seen walking alone near the loch. He left his wallet, phone, clothes, rucksack and specialist walking poles and had already begun preparing his breakfast.

Neil is described as 5ft 8in tall, with short white hair, a white goatee-type beard and wearing glasses. He was last seen wearing a green jacket and grey walking trousers.

Despite an extensive search, using sniffer dogs, drones, helicopters and diving teams, Neil has never been found.

Speaking to the Record, his daughter, Kate Armitage, 45, has said the family has given up hope of finding him alive and has issued a fresh appeal in the hope that a body can be found.

She appealed to anyone walking or camping in the area to keep an eye out and report anything to Police Scotland.

Kate said: "Obviously it's just so difficult for us as a family still having zero answers two years on.

"We have given up hope of finding dad alive now as he had nothing with him to survive and went missing in such a remote location.

"We are still holding out hope that his body can still be found so we can have resolution to the situation.

"We just want to raise awareness that he is still missing and for walkers or wild campers to the area have him in their minds and report anything they may find to the police."

Speaking last year, police confirmed any new information will be investigated fully.

Inspector Lee Page said “Neil was last seen in the Loch Dochard area near Bridge of Orchy on Sunday, 8 May, 2022.

“Sadly, despite extensive police enquiries and searches by officers and our partners, he remains missing.

“We have kept in regular contact with his family during what has been an incredibly difficult time for them and we will continue to support them in any way we can.

“Any new information received will continue to be investigated fully and I would urge anyone with information on Neil’s whereabouts to contact police on 101, quoting reference 3773 of 9 May, 2022.”

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