A man’s body has been found by rescue teams searching for missing climber Peter Grant.

Mr Grant, a former member of the Kintail Mountain Rescue Team and the Search and Rescue Dogs Association, failed to return after a solo climbing trip in the south of Torridon. The body was found on Sgorr Ruadh.

Team members numbered 94 rescuers at one point. They faced blizzards, with winds gusting to 90mph, and a high avalanche risk.

The casualty was airlifted to Broadford Hospital on Skye but pronounced dead. He was found about 1pm yesterday. Rescuers drawn from Mr Grant’s former team at Kintail, worked with volunteers from Torridon and Dundonnell, and RAF teams from Kinloss and Leuchars. Search and rescue dogs were also used.

The search covered Fuar Tholl, and Beinn Laith Mhòr as well as the mountain on which the body was found. Search helicopters were grounded for a time due to high winds. The alarm was raised when Mr Grant’s son reported that he had not returned after setting off climbing in the Achnashellach area on Wednesday.

The 49-year-old was described as an experienced ice and rock climber, able to survive on the mountains in winter. Mr Grant’s home was in Balmacara, near Kyle of Lochalsh.

Police said the man’s identity would not be released until all his relatives had been informed. A spokesman said: “Northern Constabulary would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in the search for their hard efforts in very challenging conditions.”

The report will be sent to the procurator fiscal at Dingwall.