Mountain rescue teams and an emergency helicopter were scrambled on Saturday evening after a walker was injured in the Highland Perthshire hills.
The 60-year-old man suffered suspected fractured ribs after falling on Ben Lawers, which rises above Loch Tay, near Killin.
The emergency services were alerted at 6.20pm by a friend of the stricken man, who, along with a third walker, failed to return to their meeting point on time.
With darkness falling, Tayside Police and Tayside Mountain Rescue Team were summoned. An RAF rescue helicopter from Lossiemouth was also called out.
A spokesman for Tayside Police said: ”One of the males was traced quickly making his way back to the rendezvous point but he reported that the third walker had fallen and was injured.
”The third walker was located by the helicopter and mountain rescue personnel were directed in to him. He was a 60-year-old man and was suffering from suspected fractured ribs and other minor injuries having fallen.
”The male was airlifted to Ninewells Hospital for treatment.”
No further details have been released and no other injuries were suffered.
Ben Lawers is Perthshire’s highest mountain and its relatively easy ascent makes it a magnet for hikers. The mountain rescue was once based at Ben Lawers, but is now in Aberfeldy.