A German tourist has been left heartbroken after his 19 year-old BMW motorbike was stolen during a visit to Edinburgh.
The bike was parked outside a the Fraoch House guesthouse on Pilrig Street when it was taken by thieves sometime between 7.30pm and 10.30pm on Friday.
Owner Michael Kuhn has had the bike for the best part of two decades, and he says it's now difficult to look out to his garage to see the empty spot where his treasured possession, a BMW K 1200 RS, once was.
He says that he never considered Edinburgh an unsafe city, however the recent theft has him with doubts.
He said: "We returned now to our home in Germany. It is hard to take when I look now into my empty garage. My 19 year old BMW K 1200 RS is part of mine, and I really would be grateful to get it back in good conditions."
He added: "I never had the feeling that Edinburgh is an unsafe area. And there was no reason for me to doubt it – until last Friday evening when the group of bikers I was traveling with and I returned from dinner. My bike, my part of me, had been stolen between 7pm and 10.30pm."
Michael, who had been touring the Highlands before stopping in Edinburgh, said that he has read stories of similar incidents in the capital, and fears it could be harming the city's reputation.
He pointed to some interesting features which could help lead to the identification of the stolen bike.
He said a Garmin "Zumo" navigation system was installed behind the windshield before his trip to Scotland, while there are some small scratches on the right side of the body.
Police confirm that they are investigating the incident, and they want anyone with information, or any potential witnesses, to come forward.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: " Police in Edinburgh are investigating the theft of a BMW 1200 RS motorcycle from outside an address in Pilrig Street.
"The incident happened sometime between 7.30pm and 10.30pm on Friday 14 June.
"Inquiries are being progressed as part of Operation Soteria and anyone with information is asked to come forward."
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