A 28-year-old man has died and two other rushed to hospital following a major rescue operation on Ben Nevis.
Around 2.15pm on Tuesday police were made aware of concerns for a number of people in difficulty on the UK's highest mountain.
A major rescue operation was launched with mountain rescue teams and police officers scrambling to assist 23 people.
Sadly a 28-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene as two soldiers, aged 29 and 27, were taken to hospital for treatment of minor injuries after a small squad on the mountain stepped in to help.
There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the man's death and a report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal.
A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Around 2.15pm on Tuesday, 8 March, police were made aware of concerns for a number of people in difficulty on Ben Nevis.
“Emergency services and mountain rescue colleagues attended to assist 17 people off the mountain.
“We can confirm that a 28-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene, whilst a further two men, aged 29 and 27, were treated for minor injuries in hospital.
“There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death and a full report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”
An Army spokesperson said: “A small number of soldiers provided support to stranded walkers on Ben Nevis on Tuesday.
"They assisted the party until emergency and mountain rescue services were able to reach them.”
The latest incident comes as the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team sadly recorded a further two fatalities in the last five days and Police Scotland confirmed there had been a total of six deaths in the past two weeks.
Since Saturday the team has been called out 12 times and recovered 26 casualties.
Including yesterday's incident, a total of six people have tragically died following rescue missions recently.
A statement on the Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team Facebook said: "The past five days has been especially busy for the team.
"Since Saturday we’ve had 12 callouts and recovered 26 casualties. Unfortunately 3 of these shouts resulted in fatalities and we’d like to extend our heartfelt condolence to the friends and family of those involved at this difficult time.
"It would be remiss if we didn’t stress just how important it is to be adequately prepared for winter in the hills.
"Having the ability to competently navigate with map and compass as well as having and being able to use crampons and axe are vital skills to have if you’re venturing into the hills."
Inspector Matt Smith, Police Scotland Mountain Rescue coordinator said, “The onset of spring has brought some more settled weather patterns and a welcome increase in daylight hours.
"We would urge those seeking to venture into the outdoors to take extra care. Challenging winter conditions still prevail in the hills with large areas totally covered in snow and ice.
“Often these areas are completely unavoidable and snow may be rock hard with a high likelihood of a fall unless crampons and an ice axe are carried and most importantly, the group has a knowledge in how and when to use them.
"A slip in these situations may have very serious or fatal consequences."
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