Lessons can be learned from 'Big Six' Munro rescue mission in Fisherfield Forest by Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team in Wester Ross
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
A WESTER Ross mountain rescue team leader has stressed important lessons that can be learned by walkers following a major joint agency mission over the weekend.
The appeal from Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team leader Iain Nesbitt came after a shout on Saturday evening that stretched into the next morning.
The alarm was raised at 8.45pm on Saturday when the team was called out after Police Scotland received two separate calls for assistance from a party of three walkers who were climbing the 'Big Six' Munros of Fisherfield Forest in Wester Ross.
Whilst descending from Beinn a' Chlaidheimh, one member of the group became separated from their companions and all three subsequently reported themselves lost. Weather conditions at the time were "mixed".
Members of DMRT subsequently conducted searches of the area with the assistance of HM Coastguard helicopter 151 from Inverness. The latter was later replaced by HMCG 948 from Stornoway.
Searches on the hill and surrounding area continued into the morning of Sunday and all three missing walkers were located safe and well.
Mr Nesbitt said later: "This incident was a good example of inter-agency cooperation and in particular I would like to thank HM Coastguard for their role in bringing the operation to a successful conclusion. I'd also like to take the opportunity to emphasise how important it is for hill-goers to carry individual head-torches at all times, even during the brighter nights of the Scottish summer months. In addition, this incident highlighted the importance of groups keeping together on the hill, especially when some members of the group may be less experienced in navigation and hill-craft."
