Four hillwalkers and dogs plunge through snow ledge on mountain

A missing dog has been rescued after spending the night stranded on a snow-covered mountain in the Highlands.

A major rescue mission was launched after a group of four hillwalkers and their dogs fell through a cornice – an overhanging mass of hard snow – on Fionn Bheinn in Achnasheen on Sunday.

Dundonnell Mountain Rescue were called out in the afternoon after the group fell “a fair distance” close to the summit.

The group returned to search on Monday morning Dundonnell MRT

Two walkers who were able to return to Achnasheen said they had lost contact with the other half of their group after they had descended the steep ground to look for the dogs.

The missing walkers were later traced, but were unable to find one of the dogs.

Despite their best efforts, the search was stood down until daylight.

Dundonnell MRT returned to the mountain on Monday morning to help the owners continue their search.

The dog was eventually found alive and close to where it was last seen.

The dog was found alive but cold after spending the night in the snow Dundonnell MRT

A spokesperson for Dundonnell MRT said: “Monday morning, three team members gave up their free time and turned out not as mountain rescuers but as pet owners to help the dog owners search for the missing pup.

“The local deer stalker was able to transport the hill party up high onto the hill, and after searching for a while, happily they located the pup not too far from where it was last seen. She was alive and well, if a little cold.

“The team would like to thank the Midge Bite cafe for their kind supply of hot drinks to the team. Also to the local deer stalker for his time in assisting the search on Sunday and Monday.”