A search for two missing walkers in the Highlands has been stood down after the men turned up safe and well.

The pair had managed to shelter in a bothy while a major hunt was going on involving two mountain rescue teams and a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter.

Crews of the HMS Gannet Sea King were involved in all three rescue operations

The men were reported missing at 2pm on Monday after they had gone missing in the Glen Nevis and Ben Nevis area. They failed to make their accommodation in Spean Bridge after having been spotted near the Steall Falls at 12.30pm.

Lochaber and Glencoe Mountain Rescue Teams were joined by the crew of an HMS Gannet Sea King in the search. Although the men were described as experienced walkers, police said they did not have overnight equipment.

Police also appealed to walkers in the area to be on the lookout for the men.

However, a Northern Constabulary spokesperson said: “About 6pm, information was received that the two walkers had been traced uninjured in the Fersit area of Lochaber.

“They had lost their way and stayed in a bothy overnight. Both thereafter returned to their accommodation.”

The Lochaber team was also involved in two rescues of climbers over the weekend.

On Friday, the team went to the aid of a climber who fell near the Douglas Boulder while coming down from Tower Ridge on Ben Nevis. The woman, who suffered spinal injuries, a broken thigh bone, pelvis and skull in the fall, was airlifted by Royal Navy helicopter to Belford Hospital, Fort William, and later transferred to Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, for further treatment.

And on Saturday, the team was called to help two climbers stuck at the top of Number Two Gully on Ben Nevis, unable to get beyond the cornice.

The HMS Gannet Sea King flew Lochaber MRT members to the site, who were then lowered to the men. The rescuers then helped the climbers on to the summit plateau uninjured.