Police investigating the disappearance of missing man Lee Hawley say he was spotted in a convenience store in a Perthshire town on Hogmanay.
Lee, 42, vanished in the Melrose area of the Borders on Sunday, December 19.
Officers stepped up their appeal for information last week after it emerged he had been seen at woodland near Hawkslee Farm, close to Newton St Boswells, the following day at around 7.55pm.
Investigators believe he was travelling on foot to the Highlands - and a new sighting appears to have confirmed their theory.
A sighting has been reported of Lee in the Co-op on West Moulin Road, Pitlochry, at around 2.30pm on Hogmanay.
Police remain concerned about his welfare and have asked for any further sightings to be reported to them immediately - believing he may still in the vicinity.
Sergeant David North, of Perth Police Station, said: “We think Lee may still be in Tayside but there is a possibility he could have travelled anywhere.
"We are growing increasingly concerned for him and I would ask that anyone who may have seen him to contact police as soon as possible."
In his last confirmed sighting, Lee was described as wearing a green waterproof hooded jacket, khaki green trousers and black boots.
He is said to be around 5ft 11in tall, of slim build with short dark hair and a goatee beard.
His family says that he speaks with a Mancunian accent.
Anyone with information should call 101 quoting police reference 3081 of Sunday, 19 December, 2021.
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