A father’s decision to climb Ben Nevis in atrocious conditions with his two sons was branded ‘ridiculous’ by rescuers.

Weather conditions prevented an RAF helicopter reaching the three, who were eventually rescued by member of the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, who had been dropped by the helicopter below the cloudbase.

Ben Nevis 

The man and his sons were walked from the mountain after being found about 5pm yesterday. They had raised the alarm just before 1pm.

An RAF spokesman told the BBC: “What they were doing up there in those conditions I don't know.

“It was ridiculous. They obviously didn't look at the weather forecast.”

A police spokesman said the party, believed to be from England, had food and drink with them.