The Stornoway Coastguard helicopter joined the search. Photo: MCA
An injured walker was rescued after spending two nights on a hillside on the Isle of Skye during Storm Otto.
Rescuers said a wind speed of 95mph was recorded in the area on Thursday night.
The walker, John Pike, 61, was reported missing after he failed to check out of his accommodation on Friday. Dr Pike, from Bristol, had last been seen in Portree about 8.30am on Thursday.
Skye Mountain Rescue Team, along with colleagues from the Kintail team, North Police MRT, RAF Lossiemouth Mountain Rescue Service and the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter joined the search for Dr Pike.
More than 50 volunteers and professionals joined the operation, including Search and Rescue Dogs Association Southern Scotland, Mallaig RNLI Lifeboat, Police Scotland search team and dog handlers, plus Coastguard rescue teams from Portree, Kyle of Lochalsh, Duntulm and Dunvegan.
The Coastguard said, after the alarm was raised on Friday, extensive searches were conducted but suspended overnight with clues recovered suggesting the walker had made his way into the Cuillin.
A Skye MRT spokesperson said temperatures plummeted on Friday night, with fresh snow falling on the area’s hills.
Hillwalker Dr John Pike
“So it was with huge relief that we found him cold, but alert around 10.30am [on Saturday],” the spokesperson said.
A Coastguard spokesperson said: “The man was found by mountain rescue teams, having suffered an injury, before being winched to safety by the Coastguard rescue helicopter and taken to Belford Hospital [in Fort William] for medical care.”
Skye MRT said Dr Pike had suffered a lower leg injury on Thursday, leaving him unable to continue.
Coastguard aeronautical tactical commander Steve McNally said: “The gentleman involved had prepared somewhat for walking in the conditions and was carrying some supplies.
“However, accidents can happen and we recommend that anyone walking in remote or coastal locations takes a means for calling for help such as a personal locator beacon. It’s also a good idea to let a friend or family member know when they’ll be back, so they can raise the alarm if they don’t return.”
The Skye MRT spokesperson said: “We would like to wish Dr Pike a speedy recovery and thank everyone involved in the search and rescue.”
