The family of a hillwalker missing in Glencoe have issued a desperate appeal for information more than a week after he was last seen.
Robin Garton, of Devizes in Wiltshire, has not been seen since last Friday after setting off for a walk.
The 69-year-old’s son Will said yesterday that his family had not given up hope, but admitted the odds were against finding him alive.
Mr Garton sen is an experienced mountaineer who has trekked and climbed several times in Nepal in his work as the founder of The Glacier Trust.
He set up the charity in 2008 to help understand the effect of climate change at altitude in Nepal, having retired from his work as an international art dealer.
He is also a regular visitor to the Highlands and was due to meet family and friends in the Kinlochewe area for a walking holiday.
The grandfather of two was reported missing on Monday after failing to arrive in the area.
He had been staying at the Kings House Hotel at the southern end of Glencoe and his car has since been found a few miles further north at the Achnambeithach car park.
He had indicated to staff at the hotel that he was planning to walk on the Aonach Eagach ridge, where searches have since focused.
His wife Lee, daughter Francesca and son Will have been left waiting at home in Wiltshire for news.
Will Garton said: “We know the odds are against us now but the hardest thing is not knowing.
“I’ve never really understood why that’s so important when I’ve seen other people in the news in situations like this but suddenly its the most important thing to us.
“We haven’t given up hope and we just want him home.”
He said the family “owe a debt of gratitude” to all of the mountain rescue teams and emergency services who have helped in the search for his father all this week.
He added: “We would ask anybody who has been in the area or even knows someone who has been walking in the area to wrack their brains and contact the police if they think they’ve seen him or something else important.”
Yesterday members of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team continued their search, along with a police search team, dog handlers and a police helicopter.
However, the search was stood down last night and is due to continue over the weekend.
Mr Garton is described as 6ft 2in in height, of slim to medium build, he has fair hair which is slightly balding and occasionally wears glasses.
Anyone who can help with the search can contact police on 101.