Three hillwalkers found dead after failing to return from 'dangerous' hike in Scotland

Three walkers have been found dead in Scotland after failing to return from a hike over the weekend.

Police and other emergency services were called to Aonach Eagach Ridge on Saturday (5 August) evening after the group were reported missing.

The narrow ridge stretches six miles and is over 3,000ft high, with guides warning hikers that they must be suitably experienced before attempting it.

Following a search by Police Scotland, HM Coastguard, the RAF, and the Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team, all three bodies were eventually recovered.

Confirming the tragic news, Police Scotland said that their deaths were not currently being treated as suspicious.

Getty Images

A spokesperson for the force said: "We were made aware of concern for a group of three hillwalkers who had not returned from the Aonach Eagach ridge in Glencoe shortly after 9.05pm on Saturday 5 August.

"A search was carried out and the bodies of three people were found.

"HM Coastguard as well as Glencoe and RAF mountain rescue teams assisted with the recovery operation.

"There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances. A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard also said: “HM Coastguard assisted Police Scotland following reports of three missing walkers in Glencoe on Saturday, 5 August.

“Alerted at around 10.50pm, the Coastguard helicopter from Inverness assisted with a thorough search of the Aonach Eagach ridge.

“The helicopter from Prestwick provided further support to police and mountain rescue teams Sunday morning.”

Getty Images

Reacting to the sad news, Kate Forbes, SNP MSP for MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, said it was 'horrendous'.

"My thoughts are with the families," she said. "My sincere appreciation to mountain rescue, as always, and the emergency services."

According to WalkHighlands, Aonach Eagach ridge takes a certain degree of experience and must only be undertaken when the weather is favourable.

The guide says: "Famed as the narrowest ridge on the British mainland (though Liathach and An Teallach must run it close), the Aonach Eagach gives a thrilling and spectacular traverse for keen and experienced scramblers, linking the Munros of Meall Dearg and Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh.

"The route is a grade 2/3 scramble, and is included in some climbing guides as a 'Moderate' rock climb; it involves probably the trickiest scrambling on any Walkhighlands route.

"Ensure you have the necessary skills and experience, choose a dry day (the rocks are slippery when wet) and leave plenty of time to complete the route in daylight."