The HMS Gannet Sea King at the incident site, with the casualty aboard in a stretcher. Photo: Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team

A walker was airlifted to hospital after suffering a suspected broken ankle.

The woman was walking in the Pentland Hills yesterday, when she slipped and injured herself on the footpath between Carnethy and Turnhouse Hills.

Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue Team was called out by Lothian and Borders Police at 3.50pm to the site north-west of Penicuik.

A spokesperson for the team said: “This is a popular route with walkers as it takes in the highest tops of the Pentlands and is easily accessible from Edinburgh.

“The weather was fine at the time of the incident although heavy showers developed throughout the evacuation. That said, the walker and her party were well equipped for a day in the hills.

“Although Scottish Ambulance Service paramedics were on scene, TVMRT were required to assist with the evacuation due to the nature of the terrain in which the casualty was located.”

The team was at the scene in less than an hour and treated the woman and prepared for her to be airlifted by a Royal Navy Sea King helicopter from HMS Gannet in Ayrshire.

The spokesperson said: “The helicopter amazed onlookers as it landed on a very tight patch of flat land close to the casualty site.

“It deposited its winchman and left the scene to refuel as this incident followed directly on from another unrelated rescue in which the aircraft was involved.”

After refuelling, the crew returned to pick up the walker and the winchman and they flew her to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary about 6pm.

Dave Wright, TVMRT incident manager, said: “The team is pleased to have been able to assist in the evacuation of this lady.

“Although this party was well prepared, this incident serves as a reminder that although the Pentland Hills lie very close to Edinburgh, walkers should still carry appropriate clothing and equipment for their day out.”