Search continues for missing hillwalker

Body of one of the two brothers who went walking on Thursday was found

Mountain rescuers yesterday continued a harrowing search in sub-zero conditions for a missing climber who is feared dead on a Highland mountain – a day after his brother’s body was found.

A massive operation was launched for Alan Gibson, 56, and his brother Neil, 63, after they failed to return from a hillwalking expedition in Wester Ross on Thursday night.

Rescue teams hunting for the pair found the body of Alan, who lived in County Durham, on Saturday, but they were desperately trying to find his brother in exhaustive searches yesterday.

The two Munro-bagging brothers, who originally hail from Nairn, set off for Achnashellach on Thursday morning with Neil’s black pointer dog.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Mountain rescue teams searching in the area of Achnashellach for two missing hillwalkers have sadly recovered the body of a man.

“He has been formally identified as Alan Gibson, who was reported missing with his brother after failing to return from a walk in the area on Thursday.

“The recovery follows a day of extensive searching by Torridon and Dundonnell mountain rescue teams, Coastguard rescue helicopter and the Search and Rescue Dog Association.

“The family of Alan have been informed and our thoughts are with them at this very sad time.

“Searches are ongoing for Alan’s brother Neil who was also reported overdue in that area and will continue.”

It is believed the brothers were unexpectedly caught by an avalanche in the area.

Donald Macrae, team leader of Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team, said last night: “We will continue to search for Neil Gibson.

“It is very tragic for the family. “The weather in the hills is very challenging, with full-on winter conditions reducing visibility.”

Mountain rescue teams have been searching a wide area taking in the peaks of Fuar Tholl, Sgorr Ruadh and Beinn Liath Mhor.

The Avalanche Information Service has already recorded 82 snow slides in Scotland’s mountains this winter – almost as many as all of last season.

The body of 56-yearold Alan Gibson, top, was discovered on Saturday. The search for his 63-year-old brother, Neil, continues.