logo
Bodies of two hillwalkers found on the same day as death toll on Scotland's peaks rises to four in a week

Bodies of two hillwalkers found on the same day as death toll on Scotland's peaks rises to four in a week

Daily Mail​07-06-2025
The bodies of another two hillwalkers have been found in the Highlands as the number of people who have died in Scotland's mountains this week rose to four.
The tragic incidents happened in a week that saw blizzards hit some of the country's highest peaks just weeks after a spring heatwave had created perfect climbing conditions.
The latest tragedy took place on a 2,920ft hill in Wester Ross. A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'Around 1.20am on Saturday, June 7, the body of a 70-year-old man was recovered by mountain rescue teams from An Ruadh-stac.
'There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal.'
The climber has not yet been named. The police statement came just hours after officers announced that a body had been found in the search for a hillwalker who went missing on the Isle of Skye.
Roddy MacPherson was last seen walking towards Sligachan Bridge. The 67-year-old had not been heard from since, sparking a major search.
Police have said a body was found at Harta Quarry in the Cuillins on Friday.
It was spotted by a mountain rescue team and extracted by the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter.
Neil Urquhart, leader of Skye MRT, said it appeared the hillwalker had fallen. His team had searched for three days in what was their seventh call-out in six days.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: 'There would appear to be no suspicious circumstances. Formal identification has yet to be made.
'The family of Roddy MacPherson, 67, who had been reported missing from Skye on Wednesday, June 4 have been informed.'
It comes after the death of two other hillwalkers this week. On Thursday a 46-year-old climber plunged 650 feet to his death on Ben Nevis.
His female companion was rescued by visiting members of Cockermouth MRT who were on the UK's highest mountain at the time.
Members of Lochaber MRT and a Coastguard helicopter from Prestwick extracted the body of the climber who was on the Great Tower of Tower Ridge – about 600 feet below the 4,413ft summit.
Astie Cameron, deputy leader of Lochaber MRT, said. 'It was very difficult conditions – a return to winter. It was a full-on blizzard.
'The chap must have fallen 200 metres [656 feet]. Fortunately, there were mountain rescue team members from Cockermouth nearby and they were able to get the other climber to safety.
'But because of the conditions we had to get the man's body round to Observatory Gully so the helicopter could get in. It was very difficult.'
Police Scotland said it was made aware of a hillwalker having fallen from Tower Ridge around 1.45pm on Thursday, June 6.
It said the Coastguard attended and located the man, who was pronounced dead at the scene.
A body was also found on Monday in the search for a missing Swiss hiker who was on a long distance trek through the Highlands.
Bernard Trottet was last known to be at Corryhully Bothy near Glenfinnan on May 27.
The 65-year-old had been heading north towards Kinloch Hourn in Knoydart on the Cape Wrath trail.
Police discovered a man's body in the water of the Kinloch Hourn area. Again, there are not believed to be any suspicious circumstances.
While formal identification is yet to take place, Mr Trottet's family has been informed.
It is believed Mr Trottet may have been trying to cross a river when he was swept away.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Police Scotland monitoring of Palestine protests revealed
Police Scotland monitoring of Palestine protests revealed

The Herald Scotland

time3 hours ago

  • The Herald Scotland

Police Scotland monitoring of Palestine protests revealed

Dubbed Operation Tarlac, the coordinated approach was developed by the National Police Chiefs' Council (NPCC), and sought to support local police and counter-terrorism forces to ensure 'public safety and community cohesion.' A briefing document viewed by The Herald outlines Police Scotland's response to mass protests in Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, and Aberdeen on Saturday, October 14th, one week after the conflict erupted. Pro-Palestine protests have taken place across the UK. (Image: Lucy North / PA) A command centre was set up in Govan after the force received intelligence of potential counter-protests and 'disorder' on the morning of the 14th. Operational notes explain that 250 people gathered in Aberdeen and 300 took to the streets in Dundee, while 500 people marched to the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh. Meanwhile, approximately 6,000 people gathered at the Buchanan Street Steps before proceeding to the BBC's headquarters on Pacific Quay. No counter protest was identified, and all events ended peacefully. Assistant Chief Superintendent David Robertson told colleagues: 'In spite of significantly greater numbers than anticipated, the event passed off peacefully with a proportionate policing deployment. 'It resulted in only one fixed penalty notice for a breach of the peace directed towards officers.' In total, police attended nearly 500 planned pro-Palestine protests across Scotland between October 2023 and May 2025, as well as an unspecified number of 'spontaneous' demonstrations. Officers were called out to 178 protests in the Greater Glasgow region, as well as 98 in the North East, 75 in Edinburgh, 54 in Tayside, and 46 in Dumfries and Galloway. 'Operation Tarlac' was launched amid nationwide concern over ethnic tensions in the wake of the Hamas attacks. A letter to NPCC members, sent on October 8th, reads: 'What we have learnt from our monitoring of UK communities during times of previous conflict, notably in 2014 and 2021, is that there is likely to be an adverse reaction here in the UK, as well as the potential for individuals and extremist groups around the world to use the conflict to justify their own violence. 'It is vital that we play an active and informed role to reassure affected communities and by responding robustly to any incidents that seek to increase tensions rather than to share empathy. 'I would urge all forces to reach out locally to affected communities and maintain effective communications to reassure them that we will not tolerate illegal activity, regardless of how distressing the international violence is to our communities.' Police Scotland have attended more than 500 protests. (Image: Newsquest) Police Scotland has been criticised by pro-Palestine activists in recent months. In March, campaigners called for a review of the force's conduct at protests. At the time, Scottish Friends of Palestine said: 'There are currently about 40 Palestine supporters facing court cases. It is worth noting that over the past 16 months hardly any arrests have resulted in convictions by the Scottish courts. 'This is a huge waste of public resources that could easily be avoided if Police Scotland got their act together and provided their officers and commanders with adequate training about the public's right to protest and the limitations of officers' powers when dealing with political protests.' Others have spoken out since the Palestine Action group was proscribed in July. Kimberley Davidson of the Scottish Palestine Solidarity Campaign told The Herald that activists have had to have 'difficult conversations' in the wake of the ban. She said: 'There is a very clear approach that has been taken by police up and down the UK. People have been arrested for wearing T-shirts and others have been challenged by police over Palestine flags and anti-Israel placards.' More than 200 people have been arrested across the UK on suspicion of expressing support for Palestine Action since the ban came into force. Read more: A Police Scotland spokesperson told The Herald: 'We have a legal duty to protect the rights of people who wish to peacefully protest and we'll engage with protest groups. 'Campaigning and demonstration is a legitimate, necessary and vital part of life. 'However, abusive, threatening behaviour or activity intended to disrupt an event that poses a risk to safety is not legitimate protest. 'Every situation is unique and we will respond proportionately.'

Body found in search for Florida teen who mysteriously vanished after sending two-word text to his mom
Body found in search for Florida teen who mysteriously vanished after sending two-word text to his mom

Daily Mail​

time4 hours ago

  • Daily Mail​

Body found in search for Florida teen who mysteriously vanished after sending two-word text to his mom

Authorities in Florida have found the body of missing North Carolina teen Giovanni Pelletier, 18, in a tragic end to the week-long search for the teen. His decomposing remains were found in a retention pond off I-75 and State Road 70 on Friday, according to the Manatee County Sheriff's Office. The body was formally identified on Saturday afternoon. The area where he was found had been searched by authorities on the first day of search efforts, but the body was ultimately located by a private investigation group hired by the Pelletier family. Authorities said positive identification is pending further testing, and an autopsy is scheduled for Sunday, reports Gulf Coast News. Giovanni vanished on Friday, August 1 while visiting Florida with his mother, Bridgette Pelletier, her fiancé, and his four siblings. Before leaving Raleigh, North Carolina he had arranged via text with paternal relatives to pick him up in Englewood, Florida and take him to his grandfather's home in Brevard County, more than three hours away. Bridgette said she was hesitant to let her son travel alone but wanted to support his wish to reconnect with family. But within 30 minutes of being picked up, Giovanni sent her a chilling text message: 'Mom help.' According to Bridgette, Giovanni's paternal grandfather later left her a voicemail alleging that there had been an altercation and that the teen's cousins had left him on the side of the road in Bradenton, Manatee County. He had been in the car with his cousins on his father's side when he 'suddenly began to act erratically before exiting the vehicle and walking away near SR70,' the sheriff's office said. Giovanni's phone and backpack were abandoned on the side of the highway, leaving his family devastated and without answers to his whereabouts. His mom, Bridgette, 34, told People that she saw the chilling text messages when she woke up at around 6:20am, hours after he had texted around 2am. He had also tried to FaceTime her. The teen had also texted his aunt and father, asking for help when his mom didn't reply. Bridgette said she also received a missed call from one of Giovanni's cousins, who was in the car with him when he vanished. 'He only called me that one time,' she said. 'And then no effort was made to communicate with me. No effort was made to come back to the house to let me know.' The family launched a GoFundMe to raise money for a reward and resources for the search. Hours after his body was identified on Saturday, his mother posted a statement to social media. 'My son was recently found after a desperate search by our family alone, and we are still facing an active investigation into his death. I am living every parent's worst nightmare, trying to find the strength to give him the goodbye he deserves. Any funds raised now will provide crucial support to cover funeral, medical, and legal costs as we struggle to honor his memory through this unimaginable heartbreak' Bridgette told how Giovanni was from North Carolina, but was visiting his dad's side of the family in Florida. His parents were never married, but he was born in Florida and lived there until he was four years old. When he turned 18, Bridgette said he wanted to get to know his father's family. 'He was craving the culture and the background from his dad's side of the family, and I couldn't give that to him,' she said. Bridgette added that there had been little communication with Giovanni's relatives and that they haven't helped them look for her son. After he disappeared, she said his paternal grandfather left her a message that there was an altercation on the side of the road between the cousins, and to 'let him know when I found Giovanni.' Bridgette said that one of Giovanni's cousins told her that they were smoking marijuana, and he started to panic. The cousin claimed Giovanni pulled out a knife on the side of the road, which Bridgette said was unlike her son. Giovanni's aunt, Desiree, shared on Facebook that he was with three boys when he disappeared, whom he had never met in person. Desiree posted a video on social media pleading for the public's help, and dismissing theories that her nephew was a runaway. 'Giovanni is smart, kind, and full of life. He didn't deserve this,' the description read. 'Our family is devastated, terrified, and doing everything in our power to bring him home — but we're receiving very little help from officials, and we are being forced to search on our own.'

Heroin dealers fined just £499 as punishment for Scotland's mounting drug deaths
Heroin dealers fined just £499 as punishment for Scotland's mounting drug deaths

Daily Record

time5 hours ago

  • Daily Record

Heroin dealers fined just £499 as punishment for Scotland's mounting drug deaths

The Sunday Mail can reveal the shockingly lenient punishments being handed out despite 1065 fatalities last year - the highest of any European country. Heroin dealers are receiving average court fine of just £499 despite Scotland's drug deaths epidemic, we can reveal. ‌ The shockingly lenient punishments are being handed out despite 1065 fatalities last year - the highest of any European country. ‌ Meanwhile less than a third of those convicted of dealing offences receive a jail sentence according to official figures. ‌ Bereaved families along with politicians and campaigners have reacted furiously and demanded custodial sentences for dealers. Linda McVean, whose son Frankie died of an overdose, has demanded prison for heroin dealers while Lib Dem MSP Jamie Greene branded the puny penalties 'pocket change'. ‌ Linda, 56, lost her son Frankie after he dabbling with the drugs while staying at a homeless hostel. She later bought illegal street valium herself to show how pushers were operating with impunity. Linda said: 'I will never get over Frankie's death, it will stay with me forever and it makes me sick to think these dealers are being allowed to sell these deadly drugs more or less openly. 'Drug addicts need to be treated with compassion but the dealers are selling death and misery and should face jail. ‌ 'If you walk through the city centre of Glasgow you can see deals being carried out in front of your eyes on street corners and it is unacceptable. 'This is an industry that makes millions of pounds for the people at the top - meanwhile thousands of users who end up hooked are dying. 'How do you possibly think that a fine of less than £500 is going to put anyone off, it is ridiculous, they can make that back in a day. ‌ 'The police and the courts and the government all have a responsibility to make clear that there will be consequences for drug dealing and that it will result in a custodial sentence.' Linda paid £10 on Glasgow's Argyle Street for 28 street valium pills months after Frankie died in May 2023. ‌ She then made a report to Police Scotland, telling detectives she was disgusted the trade in drugs was allowed to go on in full view of shoppers. When Linda bought the drugs close to Glasgow's Central Station, she told the dealer: 'These are the same pills that killed my son. You should be ashamed of yourself.' Linda, from Penilee, Glasgow, added: 'At every level this trade is being allowed to continue despite people dying every day. ‌ 'It is ruining thousands of lives, there are families behind every one of these drug deaths who will never get over the grief of losing their child or brother or sister, it is utterly tragic. 'The people responsible for selling drugs need to take responsibility for their actions but that is never going to happen if they are more or less walking free from court even after a conviction.' Frankie, 30, died while staying at the Queens Park Hotel in Glasgow, where several lives have been claimed by drugs. ‌ He was not an addict when he entered the homeless accommodation but dabbled with pills believed to have been sold by low level dealers. His was one of a cluster of deaths at the hotel and Glasgow's Rennie Mackintosh Station Hotel. Liberal Democrat MSP Greene said: 'Communities are only too familiar with the damage that drug dealers can do to vulnerable people. ‌ 'Given the vast profits and immense misery that heroin can generate, it seems strange that the punishment is a monetary fine of a sum that major players in the drugs business will treat as pocket change. 'Not only that but the punishments for different drugs feel totally arbitrary. The law acts like there's little difference in the harm caused by drugs like heroin and the harm caused by something as common as cannabis.' The average penalty for possessing heroin with intent to supply was just £499 in 2022-23 - similar to the typical fine for dealing cannabis of £485 and £503 for ecstasy. For cocaine dealing the figure was £719. ‌ Opioids like heroin are responsible for up to 80 per cent of the nation's overdose deaths, with 1065 suspected drugs deaths in Scotland last year. Drugs campaigner Annemarie Ward, of charity Faces and Voices of Recovery UK, branded the average fines for dealing as the 'effective decriminalisation' of illicit substances. She said: 'When dealers for huge criminal gangs who are making millions, arguably billions of pounds in Scotland are getting fined 500 quid, that's effectively decriminalisation. ‌ 'This push and the language we have around decriminalisation, as taking a 'public health approach' and a 'compassionate approach', is rhetoric and posturing and it's a farce.' Ward, who says Scotland's focus on harm reduction measures like Glasgow's safe injecting facility has come at the expense of drugs rehabilitation and prevention, added: 'Perhaps a new government in 2026 will tackle this with more balance.' ‌ The Scottish Government has stated it wants drug possession to no longer be a criminal offence, although this would require Westminster to change the law. Drug dealing would continue to be a crime under its proposals. Convicted drug pushers can face jail, a community sentence or a financial penalty, or a combination under the Scottish justice system. ‌ Some 1489 Scots were successfully prosecuted for drugs possession with intent to supply as their main offence in 2022-23, the latest year for which data is available. Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. If you're curious, you can read our Privacy Notice. Data shows the rate of dealers being locked up has fallen from 54 per cent in 2013-14 to 29 per cent in the most recent year - or around 400 criminals. ‌ Around 800 of cases (54 per cent) end in a community sentence instead, up from 37 per cent a decade ago. And in more than 200 (17 per cent) of dealing cases - including for supplying dangerous Class A drugs like heroin - a fine is the main penalty. In recent weeks, we've highlighted the rise of synthetic opioids called nitazenes being cut into street heroin. One superstrong substance, dubbed 'pyro', has already been linked to dozens of heroin deaths this year. ‌ It's raised fears that after a slight improvement in the rate of deaths, Scotland's drugs epidemic - still the worst in Europe - could spiral again. Last week, one recovering drug user told how dealers get off 'scot free' even when a contaminated batch of heroin causes a spate of deaths. The dad in his 30s, from Glasgow, said: 'It's going completely under the radar. ‌ 'It's incredibly common across the whole UK for one place to get a strong batch then a bunch of folk die, the dealers go into hiding for a bit but no one ever knows because generally families don't want to talk about it… when things have calmed down the cycle repeats.' The Scottish Government said it 'takes the issue of drug dealing very seriously' and that it is 'determined to tackle drug harms'. A spokesman added: 'Sentencing in individual cases is a matter for the independent courts, taking into account all the facts and circumstances before them.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store