Hopes fade for missing Skye Bridge swimmer

Hopes are fading for an East Lothian man who has not been seen since going for a swim off the Isle of Skye at the weekend.

Mr Gordon set off from under the Skye Bridge at Kyleakin. Picture: geograph.co.uk/Police Scotland

Andrew Gordon, 54, was last seen near the shoreline in the Kyleakin area, beneath the Skye Bridge, on Sunday morning.

Mr Gordon had been visiting the Highlands with his family for a motorbike rally.

He was last spoken to at around 8.45am on Sunday, when he was seen wearing combat-style trousers and a Guns & Roses hooded top.

Andrew Gordon. Picture: Police Scotland

It is believed that he had intended to go for a swim in the fast-flowing water beneath the Skye Bridge.

A major search and rescue operation was launched after a relative of Mr Gordon raised the alarm at lunchtime on Sunday. The search resumed at around 9.30am yesterday, but as darkness fell last night, hopes of finding Mr Gordon safe and well were diminishing.

Search efforts have involved the Coastguard, British Red Cross, RNLI Lifeboats, Search and Rescue Dog Association Scotland, and Police Scotland Dog Unit.

Specialist officers from the Police Scotland Dive and Marine Unit were also drafted in alongside local police officers and volunteers from the Skye community.

They trawled the Kyleakin shoreline and other local coastal areas, however no trace of Mr Gordon had been found by the time the search was called off again last night.

In an emotional appeal, Mr Gordon’s family released a statement urging anyone with details about his whereabouts to get in touch immediately.

They said: “We are extremely grateful to members of the emergency services, search and rescue personnel and

members of the local community who have been helping in the search for Andrew since Sunday afternoon.

“We’d like to appeal to anyone who saw Andrew or spoke to him on Sunday to please get in touch with the police. Any information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, may assist in bringing Andrew home to us.”

It is understood Mr Gordon had been in Skye for the weekend for the Shoot the Goose motorcycling rally at Kyleakin. The annual event, run by the Twisted Pistons Motorcycle Club, attracts dozens of bikers from across Scotland.

Organiser Gogs Taylor posted on the club’s Facebook page: “Thanks to everyone who attended our 14th Shoot the Goose rally. On a sadder note, to date, no word on missing person Andrew Gordon. With respect to [his partner] Angela and family I have kept this short, lost for words.”

Others on social media spoke of their concerns for Mr Gordon’s safety, and described the choppy waters beneath the Skye Bridge as treacherous.

Mr Gordon is described as being 6ft tall, of muscular build, with short shaved brown hair and a beard.