The pair got lost in Glengap Forest. Photo: James Bell, CC-BY-SA-2.0

Two walkers were rescued after getting lost in the dark in a dense forest.

The pair, aged 18 and 20, rang for help after they became disoriented in woodland north-east of Gatehouse of Fleet in Dumfries and Galloway.

Galloway Mountain Rescue Team was alerted at 9.45pm on Wednesday and mounted a search for the men. The two locals had set off walking in Disdow Wood before venturing into Glengap Forest.

They became disorientated when darkness fell and were unable to find their way out of the dense forest.

The walkers used their mobile phone to contact police and the mountain rescue team was mobilised.

Galloway MRT team leader Mike McCann said: “We had 16 team members out searching along with local police officers.

“Fortunately, using mobile telephone contact with the missing walkers, we were able eventually able to determine their approximate location and we concentrated our efforts in that area.

“Thankfully we found them safe and well about 1am. They were totally lost, cold and pleased to see us.”