A group of scouts was dramatically rescued by Coastguard helicopter after taking a “wrong turn” in a Highland wilderness.
The eight youngsters became disorientated after emerging from deep forest before darkness fell.
The scouts, aged between 10 and 14, were reported overdue from a hike on Thursday night.
As darkness fell, the Cairngorm Mountain Rescue Team sprung into action at just after 9pm, and police requested the assistance of the Coastguard.
The “951” Inverness Coastguard search and rescue helicopter ultimately located them at 9.44pm – three hours after the initial alarm was raised – in the Sluggan Bridge area west of Carrbridge.
The crew, who used specialist infrared camera equipment, captured the moment on video.
Footage shows the youngsters, who were unharmed having sheltered in a bothy, frantically waving their arms around as they spotted the helicopter.
Mountain rescue team leader Willie Anderson suggested the scouts – who go by a “be prepared” motto – should have been accompanied by adults.
He said: “They were hopelessly lost. The scout leaders went to look for them.
“After a few hours of looking they called for us to help. 951 from Inverness found them quite a distance away from where they should have been.
“They were up behind Alvie Estate on open moorland. Although they had a wee adventure they were all fine.
“It was all well intentioned but maybe a wee bit officious letting them go unsupervised.”
Asked what advice he would offer, he said: “Just try and make sure you can read your maps – but that’s been the story for the last 30 years, so there’s no change.”
A spokeswoman for the Scout Association said: “It appears that while navigating the route they took a wrong turn.
“When it became apparent they were late returning from the hike volunteers waiting for them raised the alarm.
“There were no injuries and they used their scout skills to remain warm and dry whilst waiting for help.”
Inspector Mike Middlehurst said the scouts were “well equipped with maps, food and water and, thankfully, did the right thing by seeking shelter in the bothy which helped with finding them”.
Shortly afterwards, rescue teams were alerted to three teenagers being caught out by a Western Isles storm that blew their tent away.
It is understood that a relative of one of the 15 and 16-year-olds camping at Clachan Sands on North Uist called police.
Coastguard rescue teams from Griminish and Benbecula safely located the youngsters and took them to a property in Lochmaddy.
A spokesman for the coastguard said: “It was pretty wild. The wind was gusting up to 45mph at times and there were heavy showers.”
