Orange peel could help find missing Glencoe hillwalker as search scaled back by mountain rescuers

A huge search for a hillwalker missing for more than ten days in Glencoe is being scaled back, mountain rescuers have said.

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

An “intensive” search involving ten mountain rescue teams, the RAF, police MRTs and a coastguard search and rescue helicopter has been ongoing, however there has been no trace found of the 56-year-old.

Deputy team leader of Glencoe MRT, Brian Bathurst, revealed that Mr Kelly’s rucksack had been found on Saturday September 9 on 864-metre high Beinn Mhic Chasgaig, however there was no sign of him.

The mountain rescue team revealed that orange peel may hold a vital clue to his whereabouts.

In an update, Glencoe MRT said: “We would like to hear from anyone who has found a pile of orange peel on the hill in this area, we know Charlie had two with him, but there was no peel in his bag. This may help us work out his route.”

The rescuers added that it is “still very much their aim to bring Charlie back to his family” and that searches will continue on a part-time basis as and when the weather allows.

However, if new evidence comes to light providing a focused area to search, the response may be stepped up again.

In an appeal, Glencoe MRT said: “We are asking once more for people to think back to the September 6, 7 and 8. Were you at Glencoe Mountain Resort, Meall a Bhuirdh or surrounding hills – Creise, Clach Leathad, Beinn Mhic Chasgaig, or possibly you may have seen him in Glen Etive? If you were there, please check back through your photos of the day. Was there someone in the background of your summit selfie?”

Mr Kelly is believed to be wearing a black waterproof jacket, grey trousers and a dark green fleece, he was last seen with a pair of walking poles.

He is described as having a distinctive unusual gait due to a hip problem and may have been moving slowly.

Members of the public with any information that can help with the search are asked to contact Police Scotland by calling 101 and quoting incident 4788 of the September 7.