Tributes have been paid to a 'gentle giant' after a body was found during the search for a missing Scots man.
James Duncan, 29, was reported missing almost five weeks after disappearing from Stonehaven in Aberdeenshire on September 30. A desperate search was launched to establish his whereabouts but on Wednesday, officers confirmed a body was discovered in the Craigendarroch Hill area during a search for him.
He is yet to be identified, but James' family have been informed. His friends have led heartfelt tributes following the tragedy, as he has been described as 'the kindest guy you'd ever meet'.
Sandy Mair said: "This is really sad because James was the nicest and kindest guy you'd ever meet, I called him the gentle giant."
Simone Thompson added: "This is so sad, he was such a lovely guy."
Toria Miles wrote: "Just awful, tears rolling down my face he was such a lovely, caring lad."
While Aiden Gill said: "Couldn’t of got a nicer bloke that did his part to help people, such a shame."
James has been remembered for his volunteering efforts at a local homeless charity, The Care Hub, Aberdeen. Officers say there are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "At 12.20pm on Wednesday, November 1, the body of a man was found in the Craigendarroch Hill area of Ballater. Formal identification has not yet taken place but the family of James Duncan, reported missing from Aberdeen, has been notified.
"There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal in due course."
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