hh is right. Local insights are very valuable. She pointed me to the right B&B to stay at for my first nights in the area. Way out of my budget, but I was able to get to know the first person who sighted Susan walking up Crieff Rd while staying in the middle of the area of interest. While he didn't see her face, the timing and clothing match to confirm Susan's southbound direction. Thanks again, hh, for guiding me to that starting point.
Then the police gave a few details of the non-sighting, but that driver called me directly after seeing my phone number on one of the 60 day-glow green signs I posted. Being a retired police chief, he was an excellent resource who re-drove the route to confirm the time he passed the Gatehouse. Many local people (hh and the Glasgow policeman included) helped with the time it takes to walk uphill from Moness to Gatehouse.
From the volunteer searchers--both Saturday groups were thoughtful, full of good ideas, and far better hill walkers than me--to the library staff who helped with printing and copying on many occasions, refusing to charge me. But hh was the absolute best! She walked countless hours with and without her dogs, and faced down the rumored Griffin Forest puma. She even shared her house with me. People don't get any better! Susan would have loved to meet you, hh. You are her kind of people: genuine and hard-working. I'm honored to have shared this experience with you.
The local Aberfeldy people have been so helpful! If you ever travel to Scotland, spend a week in Aberfeldy getting to know the nicest people in a town where you don't worry if you leave your doors unlocked, where kids play outside and walk to school without fear of abduction.
The Aberfeldy citizens kindly tolerate this outlander who asks them to repeat that phrase three times before she comprehends. I can't say enough great things about the town and its people. I'll treasure these memories and be forever grateful that Susan was in their midst when she took her last walk.
