The Trotternish Ridge, scene of one of the rescues. Photo: Jonathan Combe

Police in Scotland are pleading with hillwalkers to be fully prepared before setting out, after three separate incidents involving rescue teams over the weekend.

Walkers were woefully unprepared for their trips into the mountains, a spokesman said.

Five people were airlifted to safety during a busy 24-hour period on Friday and Saturday on Skye and in Kintail.

Police Scotland said: “At around 6.30pm on Friday a 66-year-old man was airlifted with the assistance of the Skye Mountain Rescue Team after falling at the Fairy Pools in Glenbrittle.

“Fortunately he did not sustain serious injuries.”

Later that night two walkers were reported overdue from a walk on The Saddle and Forcan Ridge in Kintail. “Proactive work by the Kintail Mountain Rescue Team led to their location being identified and the pair were safely airlifted off the hill,” police said.

“Yesterday, two men were reported cragfast on the Trotternish Ridge near to the Old Man of Storr. Again the pair were safely airlifted as darkness fell and none suffered any injury.”

Sergeant Bruce Crawford, of the Portree community policing team, said: “I wish to thank the Skye and Kintail Mountain Rescue Teams for their assistance during this busy period and also the crew of Rescue 948 [the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter] who have found themselves on Skye so often.

“The hills in the area are particularly busy at the moment thanks to the current good weather. Unfortunately we have seen examples this weekend of walkers being woefully under prepared for the walks that they are undertaking including people being on the hills without maps, torches or basic survival gear.

“The message remains the same: come to the hills and enjoy them but be prepared for all eventualities and don’t go beyond your ability.”