Two university friends were found huddling for warmth on Lairig Ghru

Two university friends were rescued from the Cairngorms in sub-zero temperatures this weekend. Members of the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) were called out just 30 minutes after completing another exhausting rescue.

The alarm was raised at around 9pm on Saturday as the women – one aged 26 from the Aberdeen area and a 30-year-old from London – huddled for warmth on Lairig Ghru.

They had been planning to spend the night doing a two-day traverse but got caught out by the conditions.

And though well-prepared, some of their equipment was badly damaged by the snow, rain and wind.

“They were panicking a bit,” said Cairngorm MRT leader Willie Anderson.

“It was winter conditions, with snow and sub-zero temperatures.

“They were well-equipped for the traverse, but their tent had been trashed by the wind and they and their sleeping bags were wet. The women were also cold.

“It was not a good night to be out in those conditions with wet gear. They were old university friends doing the traverse, but got caught out by the weather.”

Five members of the team reached the women and walked them off the hill by 1am. They were given dry clothing and warm food and drink.

Earlier at 3pm, 18 members of the

EFFORT: One man was stretchered two miles in wintry conditions on the hillside