Drones and dogs join search for climber who failed to return from Ben Nevis

Searches are continuing for a popular hill climber who failed to return from Ben Nevis four days ago.

Brian Mcgillicuddy was last seen at the Scottish Mountaineering Club hut around 8.30am on Thursday and is believed to have been planning to climb Orion Face Direct.

The 64-year-old was reported missing after failing to return.

Extensive searches have been carried out in the days since, with drone pilots from the Search and Rescue Aerial Association joining the efforts.

Brian Mcgillicuddy was reported missing on Thursday, February 19, 2026, after he failed to return from a planned hike on Ben Nevis Police Scotland

Mountain Rescue teams from Lochaber, Glencoe and Oban, as well as the Search & Rescue Dog Association, RAF Lossiemouth, Coastguard and Police Scotland, have also been scouring the area.

Brian is described as 6ft 1ins tall, of slim build, with short grey/white hair.

When last seen, he was wearing a white climbing helmet, a dark blue jacket, white jeans and blue and red gaiters.

Sergeant Gareth Ford said: “Extensive searches, involving specialist resources, are ongoing despite challenging conditions.

SARAA - Search and Rescue Aerial Association searching for Brian Mcgillicuddy — SARAA – Search and Rescue Aerial Association searching for Brian Mcgillicuddy SARAA

“We are not sure of Brian’s intended route, so I’m appealing to anyone who thinks they may have seen him, or someone matching the description, in the area on Thursday to come forward. Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could greatly assist our search teams.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3544 of February 19, 2026.