Mr O'Grady set out from Loch Ossian Youth Hostel. Photo: Doug Lee CC-BY-SA-2.0

Rescuers searching for a hillwalker who has been missing for three weeks in the Highlands have found a body.

Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team discovered the body in the Corrour area yesterday.

Police Scotland said they believe it is Michael O’Grady, who was last seen leaving the Loch Ossian Youth Hostel, a mile east of Corrour railway station, on 22 December.

Police said they believe the body is that of Michael O'Grady

Concerns were raised by friends who were unable to contact the experienced hillwalker and police forced their way into his home in Irvinestown in Co Fermanagh on 6 January.

They found a diary detailing his plans to walk in the area around Ben Alder and Loch Ossian.

Search teams found the body yesterday. A Police Spokesperson said: “There appear to be no suspicious circumstances.

“A report is being prepared for the procurator fiscal.”

Mr O’Grady, 64, left the hostel on 22 December, intending to walk to Culra Bothy, 19km (12 miles) away.

Police appealed to walkers for sightings of the missing man, saying they thought he might have been seen by a group of five hillwalkers that day near to Ben Alder.

A Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team spokesperson said: “Sadly this is our first fatality of the year and is just a wee reminder how arctic our weather can be.

“Our thoughts are now with the family involved and we send our condolences.”