Spitfire pilot's death in the Highlands to be marked

The Canadian pilot was flying a Spitfire back to Fraserburgh when he crashed

The 70th anniversary of the death of a young Canadian pilot in a Spitfire crash in the Highlands is to be marked later this month.

Flying Officer John McDonell, 21, was returning to RAF Fraserburgh from a photographic reconnaissance flight over Scotland's west coast on 16 May 1943.

In low cloud he crashed into Meall an t-Suidhe, a hill near Ben Nevis.

RAF Leuchars Mountain Rescue Team members will be among those who attending a memorial service.

The service in Glen Nevis will be held on 16 May.

Mr McDonell, from Smithers in north west British Columbia, was a Royal Canadian Air Force pilot flying with the RAF.

He was buried at Tomnaurich Cemetery in Inverness.

The Spitfire is one of Britain's best-known World War II aircraft and was used in various roles including reconnaissance and as a fighter.