Munro climber dies after slipping on 'slabby rock' during bank holiday

The 40-year-old man fell around 50 metres from Buachaille Etive Mòr, located near Glencoe in the Highlands.

13th Apr 2023

A man has died after slipping from a “slabby rock” while climbing a Munro in the Highlands during the bank holiday weekend.

The 40-year-old man was with a climbing companion on Buachaille Etive Mòr, in Glencoe, when he slipped and fell about 50 metres at around 11.15am on Saturday.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team sent 13 members to the incident and, following an eight hour mission, his body was carried off the mountain.

His climbing companion, who was stuck on a ledge about 2,000ft up, was roped to safety by three members of the response team.

Deputy team leader Brian Bathurst said: “We would like to express our condolences to the man’s family and friends. It was a tragic outcome sadly. He appears to have slipped on slabby rock.

“He and his companion were climbing in a pair and the conditions were fine. They were on a terrace moving on to the next stage when the accident happened. He fell about 50m (164ft).

“The other chap was cragfast on the terrace so he needed to be roped off.”

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police received a report that a man had fallen on Stob Dearg, Buachaille Etive Mor, around 11.15am on Saturday, April 8, 2023.

“Emergency services attended and a 40-year-old man was pronounced dead at the scene.

“There are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances and a report will be sent to the Procurator Fiscal.”