Am Basteir. Photo: Iain Gillespie

Police have released details of the climber who died in a fall on the Cuillin ridge yesterday.

Matthew Benjamin Elliott, 31, of Harrogate, North Yorkshire, fell while with a companion on Am Basteir on Skye. A Coastguard helicopter helped members of Skye Mountain Rescue Team recover Mr Elliott’s body.

A spokesperson for the Northern Constabulary said: “His family have asked that the media respect their privacy at this difficult time and allow them to grieve in peace.”

Police also confirmed that the 39-year-old man who fell earlier today on the Cuillin range was airlifted to hospital. The Coastguard helicopter flew the man, who was with a 33-year-old companion, to Broadford Hospital on Skye after Skye MRT had carried him by stretcher to a safe evacuation point.

He had fallen about 30m (100ft) from Sgurr nan Eag, after setting out with a fellow walker from Glenbrittle to tackle the Cuillin range. The alarm was raised at 8.30 on Tuesday..

The walker was then flown by air ambulance to the Southern General Hospital in Glasgow, where he is being treated for injuries including a broken pelvis.

A police spokesperson said: “His injuries at present are not thought to be life threatening.”