"Beyond words": Sister of missing Aviemore man issues fresh appeal
72-year-old James Brannan was reported missing on Tuesday, 8 February
Last updated 6th Mar 2022
One month after Aviemore resident James Brannan disappeared, his sister is telling us how it has impacted their family.
Marie McKenna told MFR News: “It’s been horrific, his son and daughter are really struggling ... It’s beyond words what we’re going through.
“I try and be a strong person, but sometimes you just get caught off guard.
“I’m just going from pillar to post trying to be strong for the family and for my nephew and his daughter who are really bad."
A "horrific struggle"
The 72-year-old was reported missing on Tuesday, 8 February, from the Corrour Road area.
He was last seen during the late afternoon of Saturday, 5 February, in the area of Spey Valley Golf Club.
He is believed to have been wearing blue jeans, a dark winter jacket and walking boots.
He is described as being around 5’10” in height and of thin build with medium-length grey hair and a grey beard.
Ms McKenna told us her brother is a well-liked member of the local community.
She said: “He went to one of the local bars to have a drink with his friends and has never been seen since.
“He’s a big character in Aviemore, he’s well-known by all the local people and a happy go-lucky guy that gets on with everybody.
“One of our bigger sisters is his best friend.
“She is horrifically struggling, I have to go up and see her every second day just to make sure she’s ok."
A fresh appeal for information
Ms McKenna is urging anyone with information to come forward.
She said: “Anybody that’s got any sighting, any wee, totie bit of information they may think won’t be needed, but would help us find my big brother and my family’s dad, would be fantastic.
“He just couldn’t have disappeared off the face of the Earth, it’s just not his character, he wouldn’t go somewhere without phoning his son, his son is his best mate.
“He just wouldn’t do that, he wouldn’t go without contacting us.
“If anybody has any sighting and they don’t think it’s necessary to tell us, it is. No matter how irrelevant they may feel, that may help us trace him.”
Anyone who has information regarding Mr Brannan's whereabouts is asked to contact police via 101, quoting reference number 1601 of 8 February.