Hillwalker found after days missing in remote area

Paul Conway had travelled to the Highlands to complete a walk from Glenfinnan to Inverie

A hillwalker has been found after he was reported missing in an area called Scotland's last great wilderness.

Concerns were raised for Paul Conway, 67, on Sunday after he failed to complete a three-day walk to Inverie on the Highlands' Knoydart peninsula.

Police Scotland said he was traced on Tuesday - a week after he arrived from Newcastle at Glenfinnan ahead of his 30-mile trek.

Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team said Mr Conway was found "a little worse for wear but in good spirits".

Police said he was found in a remote area south of Loch Morar, having become lost while on route.

He was taken to hospital as a precaution due to "the extensive time spent outdoors" but was otherwise uninjured.

In a post on social media, Mr Conway's family said he had been through a "hell of a lot".

And in a statement, his son Chris Conway said: “On behalf of the whole family I would like to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone involved in searches for our father over the past few days.

“He is in good health and good spirits after this experience and again I would like to thank everyone who has helped find him and bring him to safety.”

Volunteers from Lochaber MRT, along with a coastguard helicopter crew and members of the public, had been searching for Mr Conway since Saturday.

The mountain rescue team said effort was made in "some very remote and challenging ground", and thanked those who had helped in the search.

Knoydart is a large area of mountains, moorland and lochs and sparsely populated.

There is a recognised walking route between Glenfinnan and Inverie, with most people taking three days to complete it while camping and staying over in a mountain shelter called a bothy.

Mr Conway had last spoken to his family on arrival at Glenfinnan last Tuesday, but did not turn up in Inverie as expected on Friday afternoon.

Insp Ross McCartney, of Fort William police station, said: “We are delighted that Paul has been found and reunited safe and well with his family.

“This was a challenging and protracted search involving a number of partner agencies and specialist police resources.

“These included Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team, the RAF Mountain Rescue Team, Search and Rescue Dog Association, HM Coastguard and the Police Scotland Mountain Rescue Team.

“We are grateful to everyone involved in the search for their efforts in bringing about this positive outcome.”

Mr Conway was headed for Inverie in Knoydart