A body found in the grounds of a country house and golf course has been identified as that of a missing woman from London.

Police Scotland confirmed the remains, found off Gogarstone Road on the outskirts of Edinburgh, were those of Saima Ahmed from London.

The 36-year-old was found on Saturday, January 9, prompting a major forensic examination in the grounds of Gogar Mount House and neighbouring Gogarburn Golf Course.

Specialist forensic techniques including DNA analysis were used to identify the remains.

Ms Ahmed had been reported missing to the Metropolitan Police on August 31 last year.

Her death is being treated as unexplained but police say there is "no evidence of criminality".

On Thursday afternoon, Police Scotland launched a UK-wide appeal for information as officers try to establish Ms Ahmed's journey from London to Edinburgh and the events leading to her death.

Detectives believe she travelled to Edinburgh by train on Sunday, August 30 last year and have issued a timeline of her movements that day.

After leaving her home in Wembley, London, at 8.30am, she is believed to have got off a train to Northampton shortly after 11am.

Her exact route after this time is unknown but police believe she may have travelled to Hemel Hempstead in Hertfordshire, Birmingham and then on to Edinburgh.

Ms Ahmed was described as an Asian female, around 5ft 5in, medium build, with shoulder length straight dark hair. She was last seen wearing a dark long V-neck top, black trousers, black shoes and a black jacket.

Detective chief inspector Martin MacLean, head of crime operations for Edinburgh CID, said: "I have met personally with Saima Ahmed's family and have passed my condolences to them at this tragic and extremely difficult time.

"I have given them a commitment that we are doing everything we can to establish why Saima travelled to Edinburgh and the exact circumstances that led to her death.

"At this stage of our inquiry we continue to treat Saima's death as unexplained, however, there is no evidence of criminality as matters currently stand.

"Clearly there are a number of matters and facts we have yet to establish and it remains a mystery to Saima's family why she travelled to Edinburgh.

"Today, I am appealing to anyone who saw Saima on or around August 30 to please contact police immediately.

"As part of our ongoing investigation we continue to work closely with our colleagues in the various police forces across the UK where we believe Saima had travelled en route to Scotland and Edinburgh, including the Metropolitan Police Service and the British Transport Police."

Mr MacLean said he wanted to hear from anyone who saw Ms Ahmed in Edinburgh or who can help explain how she made her way to the Gogarstone Road area.

In a statement issued via police, Ms Ahmed's family said: "We are extremely saddened and shocked by the death of Saima. She was a very loving and caring person who was part of a very close family.

"We are hoping someone can provide some information as to Saima's journey on August 30 and help us to understand what happened to her."

Anyone with information should contact Edinburgh CID on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.