Body found in search for hillwalker Charles Kelly missing in Glencoe for seven weeks

The body of a man has been found in Glencoe in the search for a hillwalker missing for seven weeks.

Charles Kelly left his home in Tillicoultry on Wednesday, September 6, and last contacted his family at around 8pm the next day.

An intensive search involving ten mountain rescue teams, the RAF, police and a Coastguard search and rescue helicopter has been ongoing for almost 50 days.

Five days after he disappeared, a backpack was found on the 864 metre high Beinn Mhic Chasgaig.

Deputy team leader of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team Brian Bathurst said the rucksack must have fallen around 350 metres but there was no sign of the missing 56-year-old.

The following week, the search was scaled back but mountain rescue appealed for visitors to the area to look out for any piles of orange peel.

Mr Kelly was known to have had two oranges with him but none were found in the backpack.

On Wednesday morning, Police Scotland confirmed the body of a man had been found in the Glen Etive area of Glencoe.

“He is yet to be formally identified but the family of Charles Kelly, 56, who had been reported missing in the area has been informed,” a spokesperson said.

“There are no apparent suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.”

Mr Kelly, a forensic psychologist in the Scottish Prison Service with three adult children and a long-term partner, was said by his family to be an experienced walker who hiked in the Scottish mountains every weekend for most of his adult life.

In an appeal last month, his family said he “loved” hillwalking and nature.