Police release image of footwear in bid to identify woman found dead off Iona

Police have released an image of “unusual” footwear worn by an unidentified woman whose body was found five miles off the coast of Iona last year.

Forensic analysis across the UK and Europe in an attempt to identify the woman has so far been unsuccessful, and her death is being treated as unexplained.

Her body was recovered off the Inner Hebrides on September 23, 2025.

The boots she was wearing are from a German manufacturer called Meindl and are a UK size 8.5.

Only two retailers in the UK sold the now discontinued boots, and police have now released an image of the footwear in the hope someone may recognise them.

The woman was white, around 6ft and aged between 45 and 60.

She had no tattoos or visible scarring from medical procedures, and forensics experts believe she was in the water for between four and six weeks.

Inspector Roddy MacNeill of Police Scotland said: “We are still carrying out inquiries 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.”

Anyone with information is asked to call Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 1564 of September 23, 2025.