Man dies after 'unexplained' diving incident in the Scottish Highlands

'As part of our enquiries I would like to appeal to three kayakers who were in the area yesterday who we understand assisted with the incident at the time,' police say

Ardmair Bay, near where the diving incident occurred. Tom Pennington

A 74-year old man has died in as yet unexplained circumstances following a diving incident in a bay in the Highlands.

The man got into difficulty in the Ardmair Bay area of Loch Broom, north of Ullapool in the west of Scotland, on Thursday afternoon.

He was taken to Raigmore hospital in Inverness but died shortly after.

Police Scotland are treating the circumstances of his death as unexplained, but not suspicious.

Three kayakers are known to have attempted to assist the man, and police are keen to trace them since they left before their details could be noted.

The weather at the time was cloudy with sunny intervals. The police have also put out an appeal for information more widely.

Inspector Kevin MacLeod said: "Our thoughts are with his family at this very sad time.

"As part of our enquiries I would like to appeal to three kayakers who were in the area yesterday who we understand assisted with the incident at the time.

"Unfortunately they left the scene before their details could be noted. Please contact Police on 101 quoting ref. no NE/4027/18."

A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal in due course.

Highland diving in the unspoiled waters off the Scottish coast can be attractive for locals and tourists alike.

However, it can be dangerous, particularly in extreme weather conditions.