A climber is receiving treatment at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary after falling from a Skye mountain and lying injured for more than five hours.
The man was in the Cuillins on Friday afternoon when he suffered a significant fall near 3077ft high Sgurr Dubh na Da Bheinn.
He suffered serious injuries to his head, spine and legs leaving him unconscious for hours.
Nearby climbers contacted emergency services shortly after noon following concerns of a possible fall or rockfall in the Coire Ghrunnda area.
A dozen members of Skye Mountain Rescue team were winched onto Cuillin Ridge by the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter and searched the area.
Several hours later, the band of hill walkers located the casualty unconscious and in a critical condition.
As the casualty was treated at the scene by the team’s medical officer, their casualty carers and the coastguard paramedic, a further four team members, tasked to bring additional equipment to the scene, were winched onto the hill to assist.
The casualty was airlifted to hospital in Aberdeen along with the medical officer onboard where it’s understood he is in a stable condition.
All emergency crews were off the hill by 9.30pm.
A Skye MRT spokesman thanked everyone for their efforts during the nine hour operation.
He said: “Many thanks to the Stornoway helicopter crew for their support and professionalism once again in what was a challenging situation. Many thanks also to the climbers who did the right thing by contacting the emergency services, acting on what they heard. Without this initial report the casualty would not have been found for a very long time. We wish the casualty a speedy and full recovery and our thoughts are with him, his family and his friends at this very difficult time.”