OAP rebuked after night on mountain

Published on Monday 29 September 2008 22:24

A PENSIONER who went missing after scattering her husband's ashes on a hilltop yesterday walked to safety and into a tongue-lashing from mountain rescue experts as a major search for her was about to begin.

Fears had been growing for the safety of the 73-year-old widow, who had been missing overnight on one of Scotland's best-known Munros, 3,554ft Schiehallion in Highland Perthshire.

The woman, who has not been named, was reported missing on Sunday after she and her son became separated on a mission to fulfil her husband's dying wish of having his ashes scattered on the popular peak.

But yesterday morning, as rescue teams from Tayside Police and the RAF Leuchars and RAF Lossiemouth mountain rescue teams were about to be deployed to search for her, she walked into a doctor's surgery at the health centre in Kinloch Rannoch to report that she was safe and well.

Sergeant Colin MacDougall, team leader with Tayside Police's search and rescue unit, said the woman, who was ill-equipped for her emotional expedition, had been "very lucky" to have survived the night.

He said: "Thankfully, this has not been a tragic outcome and the woman is none the worse for her experience. However, it still demonstrates the complacency with which people often take to the Scottish hills.

"Here we have two inexperienced walkers with no maps, no torches and no navigational equipment.

"Even on a simple hill walk, people should be prepared for all eventualities and weather conditions. I hope this incident serves as a timely reminder to anyone considering taking to the hills that being properly prepared is vital."