Loch Lubnaig, where Mr Donnelly was last seen. Photo: Andrew Smith CC-BY-SA-2.0

Police are appealing for walkers’ and outdoors enthusiasts’ help to try to find a man who went missing after wild camping in the southern Highlands.

David Donnelly was last seen on Friday night at a makeshift camp next to Loch Lubnaig, north of Callander.

Mountain rescue team members were joined by handlers and animals from the Search and Rescue Dogs Association in the hunt for the 37-year-old Denny man who was last seen by friends at 11pm on 19 August at the wild camp close to the A84.

Central Scotland Police’s underwater search unit is searching the River Leny while police colleagues are concentrating on the A84, the main road between Callander and Lochearnhead.

Inspector David Mitchell, leading the search, said: “We are growing increasingly concerned for David as he does not know the Callander area and is not equipped for the outdoors. This is totally out of character for him to go missing and we appeal for anyone with information to contact us.

“We have already carried out searches in the area since David was reported missing and we have had assistance from mountain rescue team members as well as the Search and Rescue Dog Association.

“Callander and the surrounding area are still busy with tourists and we appeal for anyone in this area who may have seen David to come forward.”

Mr Donnelly was camping close to Loch Lubnaig with friends at an area known as Anie Straight, three miles (5km) north of Callander.

David Donnelly

Inspector Mitchell said: “We also appeal to anybody who was travelling along the A84 in the Callander to Strathyre area after 11pm on Friday and who saw a man fitting David’s description walking along this road, to contact us.”

He is described as 6ft (1.85m) tall, of slim build, blue eyes with short auburn to blond hair. He was wearing dark blue jeans, cream or white coloured t-shirt and black trainers.

Anyone with information can contact Central Scotland Police on 01786 456000 or information can be given anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.