Police confirm body is of missing hillwalker

A body found in the west Highlands has been identified as a missing 54-year-old hill walker from the East Midlands.

Picture: Police Scotland

A massive air, land and sea search recovered the remains of Colin Barnfather, from the Derby area.

He had been walking in the Highlands last week but the alarm was raised on Friday when he failed to return home.

It was understood he had intended going to Kinloch Hourn in Lochaber and extensive searches were carried out over the weekend.

A police Scotland spokesman said: “Sadly, the body of a man was discovered in the Stob a Obhain area of Kinloch Hourn yesterday afternoon and he has now been identified as missing man, Colin Richard Barnfather.

“There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

It is understood Mr Barnfather’s sister travelled north at the weekend.

He had worked as chief design engineer for Aero Engine Controls and left his home in Chellaston on 21 September.

He initially visited South Lanarkshire, but told family he was moving onto Lochaber to go walking and camping.

He had intended to return home for a social event, but failed to turn up, sparking the search.

The body was found in the same area where the remains of Highland journalist and keen walker Clive Dennier were discovered in May after a two month search.

A memorial was held for Mr Dennier in Inverness at he weekend, attended by dozens of friend and colleagues as well as his sister and niece.

The CLIVE campaign - Climbers Location and Identification Verification Envelope – was also launched and encourages those taking to the hills to write details of their excursion and then leave them in an envelope with a responsible person.