Coire Raibert, where the walker was found. Photo: Nigel Brown CC-BY-SA-2.0

A walker who was lost overnight on Britain’s second-highest mountain was found unharmed by rescuers as overnight gales and torrential rain approached the area.

The 46-year-old Polish man had been on the Cairngorm plateau for at least 30 hours when he was found at about 10.15pm last night, following a major search involving two mountain rescue teams.

Members of the Braemar and Cairngorm Mountain Rescue were called out by police after the man rang for help at 3.30pm when he got lost in mist after walking up 1,295m (4,249ft) Ben MacDui.

He had set off for the mountain the previous day but lost his way.

A spokesperson for Northern Constabulary said: “The male had been lost on the Cairngorm plateau all night and all the following day.

“He had run out of food, was confused and was uncertain of his whereabouts. The overnight weather forecast was for severe overnight rain.”

A search involving 27 members of the two mountain rescue teams began and the missing walker was found by Cairngorm MRT members in the Coire Raibert area of Cairn Gorm, about 5km (3 miles) from Ben MacDui, overlooking Loch Avon.

The police spokesperson said: “He was tired and hungry but unhurt.

“This is a timely reminder of the need for hill-goers to carry appropriate navigation equipment and have the necessary skills to use the equipment.”