The coastguard has abandoned its search on Scotland’s west coast for a missing yachtsman, who is feared dead.

Neil Mackenzie, 59, was reported missing by his wife Sarah last Wednesday, after setting sail from Arisaig in the Highlands bound for his home town of Aberdeen.

Mr Mackenzie had not been in contact with his wife or family for more than a week when she raised the alarm.

Coastguard teams from Mallaig, Fort William, Salen and Kilchoan had been scouring the area and discovered his 30ft sloop, Soltaire, at anchor at Eilean a’ Ghaill on the Rhu Peninsula, just south of Arisaig.

But yesterday a spokesman for Stornoway Coastguard confirmed the sea search had ended on Friday evening, although police are continuing the serach on land.

He said: ‘There were plans to continue on Saturday, but we reassessed it and discussed it with the police.

‘The area we were looking to cover had been covered very well. It is now a missing person case. The search has officially
terminated from the coastguard side.’

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