Experts are issuing a warning to walkers after a weekend of drama on the Angus and Perthshire hills ended with five people having to be rescued.
As winter approaches, Detective Sergeant Colin MacDougall of Tayside Police search and rescue team said he was “concerned” that there appeared to be “a growing trend” whereby people failed to realise how dangerous the hills could be.
DS MacDougall was part of a team which rescued two men and a woman on Sunday evening following a gruelling five-hour search, after the group had lost their bearings as darkness fell over Glen Isla in Angus.
It followed the full-scale rescue operation launched by Tayside Police on Saturday evening when a young Glaswegian couple lost their way near the summit of Schiehallion in Perthshire.
The incidents come just weeks after a young Forfar woman and her male friend were rescued after a 20-hour ordeal on Glen Clova.
DS MacDougall said, “We have a very good partnership with the Tayside Mountain Rescue Team and we were able to co-ordinate and execute both rescues successfully.
“But I am concerned that there is a growing trend whereby people fail to realise the hills in Angus and Perthshire can be dangerous, especially when the weather changes very quickly.
“People have been very lucky in the past, most recently the couple who got lost while hillwalking in the Glen Clova area of Angus last month.
“Had it got any colder or had we been unable to locate them, then it could have been a very different outcome.
“The lesson to be learnt here is if you don’t have the skill level to tackle the route, or if you are facing deteriorating weather conditions, don’t be afraid to turn back.
“I would also recommend any hillwalker takes a look at the Tayside Mountain Rescue team website before heading out as there is some very good information there about preparation, equipment and safety.”
His sentiments were echoed by Stuart Johnston, team leader at Tayside Mountain Rescue Team.
Mr Johnston said, “As we’re coming into autumn and winter, it’s essential that if you are going to go hillwalking you are properly equipped.
“It is absolutely necessary that you must bring with you every piece of equipment you would need to survive a night should you be caught out.
“Most of the people we find haven’t taken head torches with them as they’re not planning on staying out overnight.
“But if you have a head torch and you do get caught out, you can still read your maps and see the ground you’re walking on.
“I cannot stress enough the importance of further education on mountain navigation, making sure you set out with the appropriate equipment and checking the weather forecast before you go.”