Police have released an image of a distinctive walking boot as efforts continue to identify a woman whose body was recovered around 5 miles west of Iona on 23 September 2025.
The Meindl boot, a UK size 8.5, was sold by only two retailers in the UK and has since been discontinued, raising hopes that someone may recognise it and help give the woman her name back.
She is believed to have been white, around 6ft tall, aged between 45 and 60, and of medium build.
There were no tattoos or obvious surgical scars to help identify her, evidence suggests she had been in the water for around four to six weeks before she was found.
Despite extensive forensic work across Scotland, the wider UK and Europe, investigators have so far been unable to establish who she was.
Her death is being treated as unexplained but not suspicious.
Now attention has turned to the one item that may spark recognition.
A well made walking boot, unusual in this country, and worn enough to suggest it had travelled some distance.
Inspector Roddy MacNeill said:
“We are still carrying out enquiries into who this woman could be and want to return her to her loved ones.
“We are now liaising with other countries outside of Europe, including Canada and the Faroe Isles, to see if she could be from these areas.
“This boot is unusual and was rarely sold in the UK so we are hoping sharing the image may bring a lead.
“If anyone has information, no mater how insignificant it may seem, please get in touch with us.”
Across the Hebrides, walkers and pilgrims pass through Iona every year, drawn by its history, its quiet and its horizon.
Some journeys are planned, some are not.
Somewhere there may be a family who has not heard from a sister, a friend or a daughter.
If this boot looks familiar, even faintly, officers are asking you to call 101 and quote incident number 1564 of 23 September 2025.
Sometimes the smallest detail can bring someone home.
