A fundraising cricket match is to take place next month in memory of two brothers tragically killed last year in the Highlands.
Neil and Alan Gibson had gone on a walk with Neil’s pointer dog Archie in the Achnashellach area of Strathcarron in February 2018.
But they failed to return, sparking a major search operation to locate the brothers, who originally hailed from Nairn.
The body of Alan Gibson, 56, who was based in Durham, was found three days after the alarm was raised. The body of the dog was found several days later.
Searchers came across 63-year-old Neil Gibson’s body six weeks after the men were first reported missing.
Now, a charitable cricket match in memory of the duo is to take place at Nairn Cricket Club on Sunday, April 21, where the current crop will take on a Forty Club Scotland side, consisting of players aged over 40 who used to play competitively.
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Proceeds from the match are to go towards the Torridon Mountain Rescue Team who, among a number of devoted rescue teams, searched thoroughly in a bid to locate the missing brothers.
Event organiser Dave Wolton said: “Preparations are coming along nicely. We have received great support from local businesses and organisations so far but we are always looking for more to come on board and offer their services.
“I played with Neil for the last couple of years and also played against him before that. Neil was a great bloke and I thought it would be appropriate to honour his memory in this way, but also show our appreciation of the people who spent nearly five weeks in thick winter snow searching for both men.
“Neil was involved with a number of organisations around Nairn, including Nairn Golf Clun, Nairn County Football Club and the Nairn Area Sports Council, so we are inviting all these organisations down to come along and watch the match, really as their way to say thanks to the guys of the mountain rescue team as well as honouring their friend.
“It really is set up to be a great occasion.”
Mr Wolton and a friend hiked to the spot the men were discovered in September, laying a memorial on Beinn Liath Mhor to remember his former teammate.
David Gibson, brother of the two climbers, has expressed an interest to take part in the match.
A charity auction and raffle are also scheduled to take place, with proceedings beginning at 1pm on Sunday April 21 at Nairn Cricket Club.
