Body found in search for missing hill walker
Winds of up to 1-hundred miles an hour hampered the search
Last updated 29th Jan 2018
The body of an Aberdeen man has been found in the search for a hill walker missing for two nights in bad conditions.
More than 80 people were involved in the operation to try and trace 65-year-old John Lea who called for help from Lochnagar, a mountain near Braemar, on Friday.
Police Scotland said the body, discovered around midday on Sunday, is believed to be that of the missing man, who has not yet been identified.
Inspector Darren Bruce, of the South Aberdeenshire command area, said: Trained mountain rescue teams have worked tirelessly and in extremely difficult conditions this weekend.
It is sad to learn that someone has succumbed to the elements. Our thoughts are with family and friends at this time.''
Rescue teams were called out on Friday evening but the search was hampered by blizzards and wind gusts of up to 100mph.
Two other missing hillwalkers were found safe in the Glen Tilt area, near Blair Atholl, Perthshire on Saturday.
The pair, aged 42 and 47, were reported missing at 8.50pm on Friday, but were traced safely by the coastguard search and rescue helicopter