Three exhausted hill walkers had to be rescued after they under-estimated how gruelling their hike would be.
Police alerted Braemar Mountain Rescue team that the three Polish walkers had called 999 after reaching the Corrour Bothy on the southern side of the Lairig Ghru, close to the Devil’s Point.
The trio, who were thought to be in their mid-to-late 30s, had parked their car in Aviemore and made the trip round to the bothy, which should take about four or five hours to complete.
However they were unfamiliar with the hill and it took them more than double the length of time an experienced walker would take.
The mountain rescue team, which consisted of four people, was called out about 10.45pm and managed to locate them about 90 minutes later.
They were taken back to the team’s base in Braemar and eventually they were given a lift back to Aviemore, returning to their car at about 3am.
Malcolm Macintyre, the team’s support manager, said: “I think their intention was to walk back to Aviemore once they got to the bothy, however because of the language barrier that was not clear.
“They called 999 looking for re-assurance more than anything but by that point it was dark so the police got in touch with us.
“It should take around four to five hours but they took more than double that, they said themselves they didn’t realise how difficult Scotland can be in the hills.”