Glen Croe, site of the search. Photo: Nigel Swales CC-BY-SA-2.0

A major search involving four mountain rescue teams will take place this weekend to try to find the body of a woman believed to have been murdered.

Up to 100 members of the teams will take part in the hunt, based in Glen Croe. The operation is being organised by officers from Lothian and Borders Police looking into the alleged murder of Edinburgh woman Suzanne Pilley.

The search will concentrate on the forest area around Rest and Be Thankful on the A83, and the western and southern flanks of The Cobbler, the 884m (2,900ft) corbett overlooking Arrochar.

Volunteers from Arrochar, Lomond, Oban and Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Teams will join search teams from Lothian and Borders Police in a mass effort to try and trace the 38-year-old bookkeeper’s body. Strathclyde Police are providing logistic support.

The search will take place over Saturday and Sunday, 14 and 15 August.

Suzanne Pilley. Her body has not been found, despite her partner being charged with murder

Detective Chief Inspector Gary Flannigan of Lothian and Borders Police said: “To undertake a search like this is very unusual in such challenging terrain, and it’s a first for Lothian and Borders Police to have the assistance of mountain rescue teams from all over Scotland.

“Since Suzanne was reported missing, searches have been based on national advice and guidance on the most appropriate techniques for covering such a vast area of varied terrain.

“The search this weekend is no different, with expert advisors pinpointing the areas to be covered.

“We are very grateful for the support of the mountain rescue volunteers who are giving up their time to assist our inquiry. Their specialist knowledge will be a valuable resource for us to draw on this weekend.

“We also acknowledge the logistical support we have had from Strathclyde Police.”

In June, the police appealed for walkers’ and cyclists’ help in reporting sightings of a silver-coloured saloon car in the Glen Croe area of Argyll. Officers set up an incident room at Lochgilphead.

Ms Pilley, who worked for Infrastructure Managers, disappeared on 4 May just metres from the entrance to the firm’s offices off George Street in central Edinburgh as she arrived for work.

CCTV cameras showed her on two buses during her journey and then walking from Princes Street towards her office, but she then vanished without trace.

Her former partner David Gilroy, 47, of Silverknowes, Edinburgh, has been charged with her murder.