Paddleboard find sparks major Highlands search operation amid concern for person
A major multi-agency search was launched in the Scottish Highlands after an upturned paddleboard was discovered at a loch.
The alarm was raised around 4pm on Sunday, 6 July, when HM Coastguard was called to assist Police Scotland in response to reports of a possible person in the water at Loch Bad A' Ghaill, near Stac Pollaidh in the Coigach region, just north of Ullapool.
An extensive search operation followed, involving a HM Coastguard rescue helicopter and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Achiltibuie and Ullapool. The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service also supported the effort.
Despite the response, no one was found, and the search was later stood down by police.
Police Scotland have now released an image of the paddleboard and are urgently appealing for the owner to come forward to confirm their safety.
A spokesperson said: 'If this is your paddleboard, please urgently contact us on 101 quoting incident reference 1772 of 06/07/2025 so that we know you are safe.'
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A HM Coastguard spokesperson said: "At around 4pm yesterday (Sunday 6 July), HM Coastguard was called to assist Police Scotland with an upturned watercraft and potential person in the water at Loch Bad a' Ghaill.
"An HM Coastguard Rescue Helicopter and Coastguard Rescue Teams from Achiltibuie and Ullapool were sent, and a search was conducted. With nothing found, the search was later stood down by Police. Scottish Fire and Rescue Service also attended."
It comes just a week after a teenage paddle boarder died at Lochore Meadows in Fife.
A 15-year-old, later identified as Alexander McNab, was reported missing from the water in Crosshill, Fife, on Saturday June 28.
The next day, the body of a male youth was recovered from the loch with Alexander's family informed.
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