Rescuers have described the heartbreaking search for an 84-year-old hillwalker after bringing him 'home from mountains he loved'.
A massive search was launched after John Smith, known as Frank, vanished last week on Thursday, August 5.
The pensioner had last been seen leaving the Crianlarich Hotel at 7.15am and was thought to be set on walking in the area of Crianlarich and Oban.
But the alarm was raised after the seasoned climber, who is from Nottingham, failed to get in contact with his daughter Helen Bang.
Police found the 84-year-old's green Mazda estate located in the parking area frequently used by walkers to access Ben Cruachan.
A major search operation saw mountain rescue teams scour the area for a trace of the pensioner while his family pleaded with walkers to look out for him.
However, the 84-year-old's body was sadly discovered near the summit of Ben Cruachan on Tuesday, August 10.
Oban Mountain Rescue, who Frank's daughter praised for their 'Herculean efforts', has now spoken of the four-day search that ended in tragedy.
The team revealed rescue dogs were called in while the coastguard helicopter searched from the skies in the massive rescue effort.
They described the 'great sadness' felt by those behind the rescue attempt, who had braved 'challenging terrain and weather' in the hope of finding Frank alive.
Over the last four days we have worked with our colleagues from Arrochar MRT and their SARAA pilots, Police Scotland's StrathPol MRT, Tayside MRT, handlers and dogs from SARDA Scotland and SARDA Southern Scotland, local HM Coastguard teams and Rescue Helicopter R199 in a collective multiagency search for Frank.
"We are also greatly indebted to members of the public who contacted the Police regarding sightings of Frank.
"After such a big effort over challenging terrain and in at times challenging weather it's with great sadness that we can’t report a successful outcome to this search.
"But collectively we managed to bring Frank home from the mountains he loved to his family. All at Oban MRT wish to pass on our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Frank."
In a heartbreaking tribute to her dad, his daughter Helen said: "My Dad's body was recovered from Ben Cruachan yesterday afternoon.
"He died with his boots on, walking somewhere that he loved. People must do things that bring them joy.
"I will miss him forever, but feel very lucky that he was my Dad."
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