The body of a man has been found in Lochaber where experienced mountaineer Robin Garton has been missing for more than eight months.
A police spokesman yesterday said it was discovered by members of the public in the Stob Coire nam Beith area of Glen Coe on Wednesday afternoon.
He said: “Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) attended and recovered the man.
“The family of Robin Garton, who was reported missing in the Glen Coe area in September 2015, have been informed.”
He added that the family wished to thank Glencoe MRT.
The spokesman said formal identification would now take place.
Mr Garton, from Devizes in Wiltshire, was last seen on September 25 when he checked out of the Kings House Hotel.
At that time, the 69-year-old charity boss was walking towards the ridge and his black Volkswagen Passat estate was found a few miles further north at Achnambeithach, near the A82 Fort William to Glasgow road.
Glencoe MRT deputy leader Brian Bathurst yesterday said they were called out at around 6pm on Wednesday.
He said: “The body was found was in an area we had started searching at the very beginning, but the information received indicated that he intended to do the Aonach Eagach Ridge so all the attention was diverted to the ridge.
“He was reasonably well hidden in an area that is known more as a winter route.
“People had been up there climbing during the winter, but there was a lot of snow in the gullies then.”
Mr Bathurst added that the snow in that area had all melted now.
He said: “It would seem that he fell while scrambling in damp conditions.
“Team members have continued to look for him while out walking.
“It’s good that he’s been found to give the family closure. Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this time.
Mr Garton set up a charity called The Glacier Trust in 2008 to help understand the effect of climate change at altitude in Nepal, having retired from his work as an international art dealer.