A hiker who went missing in the Highlands during a quest to win a free pint has been found after a massive land and sea search operation.
Paul Conway, 67, set out last week on what should have been a three-day walk on the Knoydart peninsula. He had travelled from Newcastle to cross what is often referred to as Scotland’s last great wilderness in search of the UK’s most remote pub.
The Old Forge, on the northern shore of Loch Nevis, with no roads in or out, offers a free drink for those who hike over the Munro mountains to reach it.
Conway, a former member of the British army’s 1st Battalion Parachute regiment, signed a few bothy books – visitor books left in free sleeping areas called bothies – on his way but failed to arrive at the community-owned pub on Friday as expected and his family raised the alarm.
The Lochaber mountain rescue team, RAF mountain rescue team, Search and Rescue Dog Association, HM Coastguard and Police Scotland mountain rescue team were involved in the search.
He was eventually found uninjured on Tuesday in a remote area south of Loch Morar and was taken to hospital as a precaution due to “the extensive time spent outdoors”.
Lochaber mountain rescue team said Conway was found “a little worse for wear but in good spirits”. It said the search covered “some very remote and challenging ground” and it thanked those who had helped.
In a post on social media, Conway’s family said their father had been through a “hell of a lot”. His son Chris said: “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.”
There is a recognised walking route between Glenfinnan and Inverie, with most people taking three days to complete it while camping and staying in bothies.
Insp Ross McCartney, of Police Scotland, said the force was grateful to everyone involved in the search. He added: “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.”