Schiehallion

A woman who survived a night on a Scottish mountain was said by rescuers to be lucky to be alive.

The 73-year-old, from Ayrshire, walked into a health centre this morning to report that she was safe, as a major search operation was about to resume. She had gone up Schiehallion to scatter her late husband’s ashes.

She became separated from her son about 2.30pm yesterday as the pair descended the 1,083m (3,553ft) munro in Perth and Kinross. He reported her missing to Tayside Police when he got down the mountain.

The force’s search and rescue team was scrambled, along with helicopters from RAF Leuchars and RAF Lossiemouth. The search, which lasted well into the night, was abandoned when bad weather set in.

The widow walked into the Kinloch Rannoch health centre just after 9am this morning, apparently, according to police, fit and well.

Sergeant Colin MacDougall, team leader with Tayside Police’s search and rescue unit, said that the woman had been very lucky.

He said: ‘‘Thankfully this has not been a tragic outcome and remarkably the woman is none the worse for her experience.

“However, it still demonstrates the utter complacency with which people often take to the Scottish hills. Here we have two inexperienced walkers with no maps, no torches, and no navigational equipment whatsoever.

“Even on a simple hill walk, people should be prepared for all eventualities and weather conditions. I hope this incident serves as a timely reminder to anyone considering taking to the hills that being properly prepared is vital.”

Rescuers had been in action on Schiehallion on Saturday night after an experienced walker became separated from the group she was with and became lost.

The woman, in her 60s, was found safe and well and airlifted from the munro about 10pm