Glencoe hiker deaths – latest: Bodies found after three go missing near Aonach Eagach Ridge

Six-mile ridge running through Glencoe is notoriously difficult to climb

Three hikers found dead in Glencoe

Three hikers have been found dead in Glencoe, after failing to return from the “narrowest” mountain ridge on mainland Britain.

The hillwalkers were reported missing shortly after 9pm on Saturday, with a Coastguard helicopter assisting Police Scotland, the RAF and Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team in searching the Aonach Eagach ridge.

Their bodies were discovered shortly after the rescue mission began in the Scottish Highlands, and police said their deaths do not appear to be suspicious.

The ridge is “probably the trickiest scrambling on any” route listed on WalkHighlands, the website says, describing it as “hard, exposed” terrain linking the Munros of Meall Dearg and Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh, which have summits reaching 952m and 967m above sea level respectively.

Police 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.”

Key Points

• Full report: Three hikers found dead in Glencoe
• RAF and Coastguard join search for missing hikers
• Mountain ridge is ‘narrowest’ on British mainland
• Deaths do not appear to be suspicious, police say

[7 August 2023 17:33 · Andy Gregory]

Aonach Eagach: The ‘narrowest’ mountain ridge on mainland Britain

The ridge close to where the bodies of the three hikers were found is believed to be the narrowest mountain ridge in mainland Britain.

The ridge is “probably the trickiest scrambling on any” route listed on WalkHighlands, the website says, describing it as “hard, exposed” terrain linking the Munros of Meall Dearg and Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh, which have summits reaching 952m and 967m above sea level respectively.

The six-mile ridge, which spans much of Glencoe, is said to be something of a rite of passage for mountaineers.

(Getty Images/iStockphoto)

[7 August 2023 17:24 · Andy Gregory]

Video report: Three hikers found dead in Glencoe

[7 August 2023 17:16 · Andy Gregory]

Expert reacts to ‘horrendous’ incident in Scottish Highlands

An expert on the phenomenon of snow patches on Scottish mountains has reacted to the “horrendous” news of the three deaths.

“This is really, really sad,” said Iain Cameron, author of The Vanishing Ice.

“Three hillwalkers on the Aonach Eagach found dead after failing to return yesterday. It’s a narrow ridge for sure, and folk have died on it before, but three in one incident? Horrendous.”

[7 August 2023 16:57 · Andy Gregory]

Full report: Three hikers found dead on mountain ridge in Scotland

Three hikers have been found dead on a mountain ridge in Scotland after they failed to return from their walk.

My colleague Maryam Zakir-Hussain has the full report:

[7 August 2023 16:57 · Andy Gregory]

Multi-agency search launched after three go missing

Various emergency services were called to the Aonach Eagach Ridge in the Scottish Highlands on Saturday after the group were reported missing shortly after 9pm.

Police Scotland, HM Coastguard, the RAF and Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team took part in the recovery operation.

HM Coastguard said they were alerted to the incident at 10.50pm and a Coastguard helicopter proceeded to assist the police in searching the Aonach Eagach ridge.

[7 August 2023 16:55 · Andy Gregory]

Deaths do not appear suspicious, say police

The deaths of the three hillwalkers do not appear to be suspicious, Police Scotland said.

“There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances,” the force said in a statement. “A report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

[7 August 2023 16:54 · Andy Gregory]

Three bodies found in Glencoe after hikers go missing near Aonach Eagach ridge

We’ll be using this blog to provide updates on the situation after three climbers were found dead in Glencoe.

They were reported missing on Saturday night after failing to return from an expedition to Aonach Eagach, known as the narrowest mountain ridge on the British mainland.

However, their bodies were tragically discovered shortly after the rescue mission began.