A mountain rescue team leader has made a poignant promise to the family of a hillwalker who has been missing in the Highlands for almost six months.
Charity boss and experienced mountaineer Robin Garton was last seen on September 25 when he checked out of the Kings House Hotel at Glencoe in Lochaber with the intention of walking the Aonach Eagach Ridge.
And, despite extensive searches, the 69-year-old from Devizes in Wiltshire has not been found.
Searches have not been carried out during the winter due to conditions in the hills.
But Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team leader Andy Nelson yesterday (Thursday) said he had promised Mr Garton’s family they would start organised searches again as soon as the snow cleared.
He added that the team had met his family and were all really determined to “finish the job” for their sake.
Mr Nelson said: “We’re very keen to get closure, particularly for the family, for whom the suffering is just continual until the job is done. They want to bury their father and husband.
“I’ve told them the searches will restart in May when the snow has more or less gone, however, if we can do it sooner, we will.
“One or two members have been looking while out for a day walking, but we haven’t had a coherent and organised search yet.
“When we get a thaw and then a period of good clear weather that gives us a chance to start looking again.”
Mr Garton’s family held a memorial service for him in his home town in December.
At that time, his son Will described not knowing his father’s whereabouts as “a living nightmare”.
He said: “The not knowing is the worst thing imaginable.”
Mr Garton was last seen walking towards the Aonach Eagach Ridge.
His black Volkswagen Passat estate was found a few miles further north at Achnambeithach, near the A82 Fort William to Glasgow road.
However, despite rescuers spending around 1,500 hours looking for him, no trace has been found.