Family informed after body found in search for lone hillwalker

SOLO: Stephen Mitchell disappeared just before the beast from the east struck

Police hunting for a missing Perthshire hillwalker have recovered a body.

Stephen Mitchell, from Crieff, vanished while hiking through the Highlands in sub-zero temperatures five weeks ago.

He was reported missing just days before Scotland was battered with severe winter storms, hampering further rescue efforts.

The 57-year-old was reported missing on February 26 after he failed to return from a walk in the Strathcarron area of Wester Ross.

Yesterday morning, Police Scotland confirmed that the body of a man had been found in the hills above Attadale by a member of the public.

A force spokesman said: “While the body has not yet been formally identified, the family of Stephen Mitchell from Perthshire has been informed.”

Sergeant Bryan Chalmes of Kyle of Lochalsh said: “Police Scotland would like to thank the tireless efforts of Torridon, other mountain rescue teams and all the partner agencies involved in this protracted search.

“Our thoughts are with Mr Mitchell’s family at this sad time.”

Mr Mitchell had set off on his planned trek from close to the Strathcarron Hotel on Friday February 23.

He had intended to walk through the Bendronaig Lodge, Lurg Mohr and Bearneas areas.

Mr Mitchell had a rucksack and sleeping bag with him and was planning to sleep in bothies during his excursion.

It is understood he had reached Beinn Dronaig on the Saturday morning.

Mountain rescue teams from RAF Lossiemouth, RAF Leeming and Torridon worked with the Search and Rescue Dogs Association, and a coastguard helicopter, to comb the area.

Police appealed for anyone who stayed in bothies in the area to get in touch.

The search crews had earlier been called to hunt for missing brothers Neil and Alan Gibson, who had failed to return after a walk in the Achashellach area of Strathcarron.

The body of Alan was found during an early stage of the search, while Neil’s remains were recovered last month.

Eight hillwalkers are known to have lost their lives on Scotland’s mountains this year.

Mr Mitchell’s family declined to speak yesterday.

Stephen Mitchell went missing in the Highlands last month.