Climbers rescued from Ben Nevis are fined for breaching Covid restrictions

All of mainland Scotland is under Scotland's highest level four restrictions

(PA)

Two climbers have been rescued from Ben Nevis and fined for breaking lockdown restrictions.  

The pair, based in Glasgow, were rescued after getting into “difficulties” on the peak of the mountain at around 5:45pm on Sunday 31 January.  

Upon being saved by the Lochaber Moutain Rescue Team and the coastguard helicopter, based in Inverness, they were given a £60 fine for breaking current Covid restrictions that state you can only travel for essential reasons.  

The 100 miles travelled by the adventurers was contrary to such guidelines.  

A total of 20 members of the rescue team and the Inverness-based Coastguard helicopter were involved in the rescue.

Police Scotland said: "There were no injuries and both were issued with fixed penalty notices for breaching coronavirus regulations."

As the rescue helicopter was returning the men to safety, the team were alerted to the location of another pair in need of support on Creag Meagaidh, a peak roughly ten miles northeast of Ben Nevis.

It is not believed that the second pair broke any covid regulations, as they are understood to be local to the area.  

All mainland Scotland, along with the Western Isles, are under Scotland's highest level four restrictions.

For exercise, people can meet one other person for pursuits such as walking and an activity should start and finish at the same place, and can be up to five miles (8km) from the boundary of a person's local authority area.