mystery of skeleton found in a tent.

pantsonfire321@aol.com · Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:24 am

By SHÃ‚N ROSS

IT COULD be the beginning of the latest mystery to confound DCI John Rebus or the hardened detectives of Taggart. But the grim discovery of a human skeleton, lying for years in a tent, was all too real for forestry workers hacking back trees in a remote forest on a Highland estate.

Auch Forest, near Bridge of Orchy, lies close to the 95-mile long West Highland Way used by thousands of walkers each year. However, few venture off the marked route and into the thick woodland, which means the corpse could have lain hidden for several years.

Now the painstaking detective work to identity the remains has begun. They are said to be so badly decomposed it is not known whether the person is male or female.

A human body takes about a year to become a skeleton but this is dependent on a variety of factors including soil conditions. A forensic examination was carried out at the scene before the skeleton was removed for further tests.

Detectives are also scouring missing persons reports for any clue to the identity of the dead camper. Strathclyde Police said there did not appear to be any suspicious circumstances and they were examining missing persons reports "as a matter of routine".

The skeleton was found by forestry workers clearing the forest to create a scenic path at around 1:15pm on Friday

The Black Mount estate on which the forest is located belongs to the family of Ian Fleming, the creator of the James Bond novels.

A force spokeswoman said: "The remains would appear to have been there for some time.

"Inquiries will be carried out to establish the identity of the deceased and a post-mortem examination will be arranged to establish the cause of death." It will take place in Glasgow on Tuesday.

An employee on the estatesaid the spot where the corpse was discovered was very isolated.

"The forest here can be quite impassable. There is investment money in woodlands here with Sitka spruce making it too thick for walkers to go into."

The West Highland Way, linking Milngavie outside Glasgow to Fort William in the Highlands, attracts up to 40,000 walkers each year and is extremely popular with visitors from ove

rseas. Much of it follows ancient routes of communication.

It makes use of military roads built by troops to help control the Jacobite clans and the drove roads along which Highlanders herded their cattle and sheep to market in the Lowlands.

Passing the Black Mount estate walkers may spot a stone monument which is a memorial to Peter Fleming, the travel writer and brother of Ian .

Last night, local people who run businesses along the route said they had been "shocked" to hear about the skeleton.

A worker at The Outdoor Store at the Green Welly Stop, at Tyndrum, Perthshire, said: "I was really taken aback.

"Most walkers tend to stick to the marked route and stay in bunk houses or bed and breakfasts.

"But depending on the weather some people might camp out. Local people wouldn't tend to go into the forests nor the tourists either, so maybe that's what has happened."

The full article contains 532 words and appears in The Scotsman newspaper.

Last Updated: 21 March 2008 9:25 AM

Galbally · Post by **Galbally** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 2:28 am

I know that part of Scotland, though not that well, but its not hard to imagine how someone might have taken ill or something in their tent, and wasn't able to get help, or perhaps it was even something like suicide. If it was anyway off the beaten track then you take a while to find them. Though its strange there was no missing persons report. It will be interesting to see how it pans out in terms of an investigation.

jennyswan · Post by **jennyswan** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:35 am

It will hopefully give some family closure when they find out who the person was.

pantsonfire321@aol.com · Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:48 am

jimbo;815159 wrote: well done pants on your happiest most upbeat thread in ages

let me try to clear up this mystery

why was the skeleton in the tent , he had no body to go camping with

http://www.forumgarden.com/forums/showt ... hp?t=36313

http://www.forumgarden.com/forums/showt ... hp?t=36340

http://www.forumgarden.com/forums/showt ... hp?t=36326

:rolleyes:

:wah::wah:

Thats why we have an ignore feature, so we can choose what we want to read and ignore what we don't . Nobody forces anyone to read anything they don't like . If you don't like it don't click on it .

Uncle Kram · Post by **Uncle Kram** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:59 am

Is it the winner of the Scottish Hide & seek Championship 1927? :-3

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 10:01 am

Uncle Kram;815868 wrote: Is it the winner of the Scottish Hide & seek Championship 1927? :-3
:wah::wah:

This is probably what would happen to me if I tried to start a remote nudist colony.

[love]light · Post by **[love]light** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 10:44 am

YZGI;815872 wrote: :wah::wah:

This is probably what would happen to me if I tried to start a remote nudist colony.

:wah::wah::wah:

Surely it wouldn't be THAT bad.

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Wed Mar 26, 2008 1:07 pm

'[love wrote: light;817120']:wah::wah::wah:

Surely it wouldn't be THAT bad.
I reckon there is only one way to find out.

jennyswan · Post by **jennyswan** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 4:13 am

Uncle Kram;815868 wrote: Is it the winner of the Scottish Hide & seek Championship 1927? :-3

You guys need to be spanked, yes all of you

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:49 am

another FG thread down the drain. You people are horrible! :yh_whistl :wah:

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:51 am

sunny104;818026 wrote: another FG thread down the drain. You people are horrible! :yh_whistl :wah:
Bone chilling ain't it?:D

sunny104 · Post by **sunny104** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:52 am

YZGI;818028 wrote: Bone chilling ain't it?:D

it's what makes this place special! :yh_drool :yh_silly

YZGI · Post by **YZGI** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 7:59 am

sunny104;818034 wrote: it's what makes this place special! :yh_drool :yh_silly
It is a special joint alright.:wah:

Chezzie · Post by **Chezzie** » Thu Mar 27, 2008 8:10 am

Knuckle down peeps..........:wah::D