Efforts to trace missing dad Reece Rodger enter fourth week as Loch Rannoch search organised

A community search has been organised in a bid to trace missing dad-of-two Reece Rodger who disappeared while camping with friends four weeks ago.

Reece Rodger vanished after last being seen by his friends while camping on the north shore of Loch Rannoch near Killichonan around 11.30pm on Saturday March 18.

Police have been conducting searches of the area with help from the Air Support Unit, the Dive and Marine Unit, police dogs and Mountain Rescue Teams, but there has been no sign of the 28-year-old.

As the search moves into its fourth week, Mr Rodger’s partner Paula Airzee announced that a large search would be carried out in the Loch Rannoch area on Sunday, April 16.

Posting in a Facebook group dedicated to the ongoing search, she described the past month as “a living nightmare”.

She urged the community not to give up in the search and said: “I know it’s difficult and disheartening to continually search the same areas with no trace of Reece, but my promise to Reece is that I will never give up and I won’t.

“At this stage we have nothing new to work with, we just need to keep searching. We are also being advised to do so, this is being advised based on previous cases of missing people and extensive searches for them which initially haven’t discovered anything and then something of significance is found. I have nothing left in me other than hope and people searching keeps that hope alive.

Reece Rodger's mum Glenda Rodger (left) and family friend Melanie Smith say the disappearance is ‘out of character’. — Reece Rodger’s mum Glenda Rodger (left) and family friend Melanie Smith say the disappearance is ‘out of character’. STV News

Ms Airzee went on to thank volunteers who have helped search for the dad, adding: “I can’t even say the words without crying, thank you. I’ll never forget what you have and continue to do for me and our family.

“The last four weeks have been a living nightmare – my heart is truly broken. The only reason I get up everyday is because our boys need me. They need us…”

It comes after she made an emotional plea to members of the public and appeared on Channel 5 show Vanished: The Hunt for Britain’s Missing People on Thursday April 6.

Mr Rodger is described as 6ft, of medium build with dark hair. When last seen he was wearing a black long-sleeved T-shirt with distinctive white letters on both sleeves spelling out – MA STRUM, black jogging bottoms and black wellingtons.

Reece Rodger was last seen wearing a black long-sleeved t-shirt with distinctive white letters on both sleeves spelling out – MA STRUM. Police Scotland

Inspector Stephen Gray said: “Despite extensive enquiries, rigorous searches in the local area and previous appeals we have not been able to trace Reece.

“As time goes on concerns are growing and we are again appealing to anyone who saw Reece or who has any information on his whereabouts to contact us.

“I would appeal to anyone who was travelling on the B846 between 11pm on March 18 and 7am on March 19 and who may have witnessed anyone or who may have dashcam footage which could assist us to get in touch.

“I would like to thank the family and friends of Reece who have assisted in searches to date. I would ask anyone planning to attend searches this weekend to remain safe and plan for the conditions. The terrain can be difficult with open water and changeable weather conditions and we want to ensure everyone remains safe.

“Anyone with information that may assist is urged to contact 101 quoting reference number 1348 of Sunday, March 19.”