Tragedy as hillwalker dies climbing mountain on King's Scottish estate

Scottish Sun

26-05-2025

He had been walking with friends when tragedy struck
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A HILLWALKER has died on a mountain on the King's Scottish estate.
The man, believed to be in his 50s, was climbing 3789 feet high Lochnagar on the Balmoral Estate at the weekend.
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A man, believed to be in his 50s, was climbing Lochangar in the King's estate
Credit: Alamy
But he suffered a suspected heart attack on his ascent.
Members of Braemar Mountain Rescue Team were sent on Saturday.
Malcolm MacIntyre, operations manager of Braemar MRT said: 'Unfortunately, he had suffered a fatal heart attack about a third of the way up.
'The man was with a couple of friends but sadly he passed away.
"We would like to pass on our condolences to his family and friends.'
The mountain was immortalised by King Charles in his 1980s children's book, The Old Man of Lochnagar.
It tells the story of an old man who leaves his cave in the cliffs for adventures in the surrounding countryside
It was originally written by the prince to entertain Prince Andrew and Prince Edward as children.
The book was later made into an animated short film by the BBC, with Robbie Coltrane providing the voice of the hermit and Charles narrating.
King Charles became the patron of the mountain rescue team that covers his most beloved hill - taking over the role from his late father.
The late Duke of Edinburgh was a particularly keen supporter of the patronage, having taken up the role in 1966.
Queen Camilla also likes walking on Lochnagar.