A Scottish dad reported missing by his partner of 27 years turned up in the US married to a secret lover.

Malcolm McGregor’s family called in cops after he vanished from the home he shared with childhood sweetheart Cheryl Cowie, 37, in Motherwell, Scotland. The town is about 15 miles southeast of Glasgow.

But the shameless McGregor was seen beaming in wedding snaps after fleeing to Utah to marry new wife Bell Valek after wooing her on Facebook.

Cops launched a hunt when the 38-year-old failed to return home to worried Cowie and their two kids.

It’s understood that McGregor, a decorator, told his family in Motherwell he was visiting a relative in Kilmarnock just 34 miles away.

But Cowie was horrified after it emerged he’d jetted 4,500 miles to Utah and was now shacked up with his new wife.

Friends told of Cowie’s anguish after seeing the marriage pictures showing him cozying up with his missus, who has taken his surname.

One friend said: “It’s just awful. It must have been devastating for Cowie to see those pics.”

“Malcolm and Cheryl are childhood sweethearts. They’ve been together for over 20 years — they met at school. They have two kids and seemed like the perfect family.”

“But all of a sudden he just upped and left. It’s crazy what’s happened. They just don’t know what has gotten into him — it’s just so out of character.”

“To say his family are devastated is an understatement.”

The bombshell details emerged after McGregor told Cowie, who works as a carer, he was going to spend a few days with a family member on July 20.

But when he failed to arrive back at their home on July 23, his family reported him missing to police.

Officers established he’d traveled “overseas” and was “safe and well.”

Cowie’s friend added: “Cheryl couldn’t get hold of him anywhere.”

“His car was supposedly dumped near his sister’s home and police were looking everywhere.”

“Then they came to tell her that Malcolm had been in touch saying he was safe, so they could do no more.”

The friend said McGregor probably got to know Bell using his private Facebook account and may have been in touch with her for “as long as two years.”

The friend added: “His wife has Mormon stuff over her Facebook, so maybe that has affected him.”

McGregor may have finalized details for his new life earlier this year.

He’s understood to have previously told Cowie he was heading to Bournemouth, a city in southern England, but it’s feared it may have been cover for a trip to see Valek.

The source said: “She became suspicious when he returned as she saw a message on his phone saying something like, ‘Miss you gorgeous.’”

“The number was American. But he just shrugged it off when she confronted him.”

On July 23, he revealed on Facebook that the pair had “married,” while his new partner later shared a wedding picture.

Friends of McGregor’s new wife, who may have kids of her own, congratulated them on their big day.

Beth Groenig Larson wrote: “Congratulations! You look so happy and beautiful.”

In June, Valek’s daughter posted: “I got my passport y’all.” When asked where she was off to, she replied: “Scotland.”

Cowie declined to comment on the split. But she shared cryptic posts on Facebook, including: “Knowing you’re being lied to is worse than being hurt by the truth.”

Police said: “Enquiries were carried out and it was established [McGregor] had traveled overseas and was confirmed as safe and well.”

A man claiming to be McGregor sent the Scottish Sun a foul-mouthed email when asked about the split.

He called the claims “lies” and said he would call in lawyers.