Searches have failed to find the walker on Lochnagar. Photo: Jim Barton CC-BY-SA-2.0

Rescuers have mounted a major search for a walker who has gone missing in the Cairngorms.

Braemar and Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Teams conducted searches on Lochnagar for the 65-year-old, who was reported overdue on Friday evening.

The walker matching his description was seen ascending the 1,156m (3,793ft) munro on Friday about 2.30pm and there has been no contact from him since 7.30 that evening.

Police Scotland’s Inspector Darren Bruce of the south Aberdeenshire command area said: “Following notification to police, trained mountain rescue teams aided the search in difficult conditions and in darkness.

“Searches continued today despite appalling weather conditions. In addition to Braemar and Aberdeen Mountain Rescue Teams, personnel from the RAF and Lake District teams, along with [Search and Rescue Dogs Association] dogs have been deployed.

“Conditions cleared this afternoon during a small window which allowed a helicopter to cover larger open areas from above.

“Weather conditions at this time of year can be challenging for the most experienced of walkers and climbers and today we’ve seen extremely high winds. Searches will continue tomorrow”.

The missing man is described as having white hair, wearing green winter jacket and using walking poles.

Two walkers who went missing in the Glen Tilt area near Blair Atholl were found by a Coastguard helicopter crew.

The two men, aged 42 and 47, had been reported missing overnight.