Probe after body found on beach

Police at the scene near Avoch on the Black Isle.

A MAN’S body has been found washed up on the Black Isle by a man walking his Husky dog.

Roy Clark made the grisly find at around midday on Wednesday.

North police were called to the scene on the shore near the village of Avoch after Mr Clark stumbled across the male body.

A number of Northern Constabulary officers, including specialists in forensics, dashed to the scene of the discovery.

Mr Clark (54) said: "I spotted something lying on the shore whilst I was walking my dog Anya and as I approached, I knew what I was about to discover.

"The male was lying face down and his T-shirt was pulled over his head. He was wearing jeans and boots. It’s very hard to put an age on the male because of all the salt and stuff, but I would hazard a guess at late 20s to early 30s. It looked like a man who had been on a night out."

He added: "I walk there everyday and it’s a scenario I have played out in my mind. I would say that he had been dead for about six to eight weeks."

Roy Clark, who found the body

Mr Clark, who was still in shock when speaking with the Highland News, said: "It’s not the kind of thing you expect to discover when you are walking your dog. It’s awful and I will be needing a very stiff drink tonight. It hasn’t sunk in yet and when it does I cannot describe how I will feel."

Northern Constabulary confirmed it had received a report of a washed up body on the shores of Avoch at noon and told the HN police were dispatched to the scene. They were unable to make any further comment.