Search for missing woman enters third day

Police are continuing to search the coastline and adjacent countryside in the area around Dunnottar Castle, Aberdeenshire, for 35-year-old Orkney woman Shona Johnston.

Officers from the Kincardine and Mearns local policing team as well as officers from specialist units have been making extensive searches of the area since she was reported missing on Tuesday afternoon.

The Police Scotland helicopter searched the coastline and nearby fields yesterday, and today is using onboard thermal imaging equipment. Specially trained search officers with dogs and handlers have been covering the footpaths, fields, countryside and cliffs.

Today, Thursday, divers from the force’s dive and marine unit have been assisting the search using their sonar and ROV capabilities in and around the coastal waters.

Inspector Jon Millar said: “We currently have a team of around 40 officers including additional assistance from our colleagues from the Maritime and Coastguard Agency and local RNLI station at Stonehaven out searching for Shona.

“Her car was found parked at the Dunnottar Castle car park and so our searches are focussing on this area but we have also had officers checking with local businesses in Stonehaven for any sightings of her on the morning of Tuesday, February 24, as well as any sightings of her after 1pm that day, when she was last seen.

“We are making use of all available resources from across Police Scotland to find Shona and if anyone thinks they may have saw her on Tuesday I would ask that they get in touch with us.”