Police unable to identify body of woman found off coast of Scots island last year

Police are appealing for help to identify the body of a woman found off the coast of Iona last year.

The body was discovered on September 23, but despite extensive investigations, including forensic analysis, being carried out locally and across the UK and Europe, it has still not been identified.

The death is being treated as unexplained and is not believed to be suspicious.

The woman is described as white, around 6ft tall, aged 45-60, and of medium build. She had no tattoos or obvious scarring from previous medical procedures.

When the body was recovered, she was wearing black walking-style trousers and size 8.5 Meindl brand walking boots.

Evidence suggests that she had been in the water for approximately four to six weeks.

Inspector Roddy MacNeill said: “This is a tragic situation, and despite a substantial effort by officers, we unfortunately still don’t have an identity.

“We are doing all we can to establish who this woman is in order to inform her next of kin. We know this may be someone’s loved one who could be missing their mum, daughter or sister.

“If anyone has information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, please get in touch with us.”

If you have any information that could assist, please contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1564 from September 23, 2025.