WATCH: Father of missing Easter Ross hiker Finn Creaney (33) marks son's birthday and tells well-wishers: 'We're not giving up'
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
THE father of a hiker from Easter Ross posted missing at the end of March has marked his son's birthday this week with a poignant message thanking people for their support and pledging that the search will continue.
Finn Creaney, who lived in the Tain area, was last seen around 2.15pm on Friday, March 25 at Altnaharra in Sutherland near Loch Naver.
The married father-of-one, an experienced bushcraft enthusiast, was then posted missing on March 28 after failing to turn up.
A search of the rugged area has been maintained with funding support from a JustGiving page and his dad, Mark, has given regular video updates to help keep his son in people's minds.
His birthday was marked by loved ones on Monday – when he turned 33.
Mark Creaney said: "It's his birthday today. He's 33 years old. We send him wherever he is all the best most loving birthday wishes in his direction and hopefully he will hear that from us even though we don't currently know where he is."
RELATED: Please look at picture of Finn regularly and keep him in your hearts
'Please keep my son in your hearts and minds'
He said the searches have been forced by the weather to stand down "for a wee bit". he said searches are "kind of clicking our thumbs which isn't easy because we want to be back up there – and as soon as the weather clears we are going to get back up there and continue our search. Especially at this time of year with his birthday, and Christmas coming up, and his family waiting for him we want to be as proactive as we can to get him home."
They are flagging two points of contact for any information– Police Scotland 101 citing reference 0912 of March 28 or via the Search for Finn Creaney Facebook page.
He added: "We're not giving up and the weather will improve and we will get windows and we go back up there and we will keep searching and get him home. I just want to keep thanking everybody who has helped us, people on the hill and off the hill and who have contrinuted to the good vibes or the Go Fund Me. We just want you to know that it matters and we know in our hearts that we are supported by people and it makes it so much easier."
He sends good wishes to everyone else and urges them to "look after your loved ones and tell them you love them not because they are going to go anywhere but just because there's no downside to it. Hopefully next time I see you I will have better news. Stay safe everybody."
He is described as 5ft 11in tall, of slim build, with light complexion and freckles on his arms and nose.
He has long brown hair down to his lower back and a full brown/ginger beard.
He was wearing a long brown leather jacket slightly aged and described as a replica of Aragorn's outfit from Lord of the Rings.
He also has a green tweed/felt poncho and green Berghaus rucksack with him. He was wearing brown walking boots that go to above the ankle.
