A body recovered from a harbour has been confirmed as that of a man missing since the end of July.
Lachlan Simpson, 22, was last seen leaving the Sutherland Show dance in Dornoch in the Highlands in the early hours of Sunday July 26.
Hundreds of volunteers joined the search for Mr Simpson, which also involved police, the RAF, mountain rescue teams and the coastguard.
A body recovered from Whitehills Harbour in Banff, Aberdeenshire, on September 2 has now been identified as that of Mr Simpson, from Embo near Dornoch.
In a statement issued through police, his family said: "We are all shocked and saddened by this news as we always kept hope that Lachlan would return home safe and well. There has always been hope that we would hear his voice and see his cheeky smile again.
"We would like to thank Police Scotland, the other emergency services, friends, family and the whole community for all their efforts and support in searching for Lachlan. We as a family have been overwhelmed by the love that has been shown to our son and brother.
"The family would like to be left alone at this time to come to terms with the news, but thank each and every one of you."
An extensive investigation and search operation was launched following Mr Simpson's disappearance, with specialist resources including police divers, the dog unit and police helicopter involved, as well as support from Search & Rescue Dog Association Scotland.
Chief Inspector Iain MacLelland said: "A large scale search operation and investigation was launched following Lachlan's disappearance during which the overwhelming response from the local community played a major part.
"Police Scotland is extremely grateful to everyone who assisted in providing and sharing information in addition to taking part in ground searches.
"We hope that this identification provides some form of closure for Lachlan's family who have our deepest sympathies at this very difficult time; extending to the wider communities of Dornoch and Embo during their loss of a popular and much loved young man."
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