Two walkers had to be helped to safety from Ben Wyvis in atrocious weather by a mountain rescue team.
The two men, both in their 40s, had to be walked off the plateau summit of the Ross-shire Munro after getting caught in bad weather on Wednesday.
Emergency services were called shortly before 2pm – and the walkers’ ordeal was not wrapped up until 5pm when they reached the car park in darkness.
They were helped by Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team, who were able to talk the men back into the right direction before collecting them halfway down the hill.
Team leader Mick Holmes said that walkers “should not underestimate” Ben Wyvis when the weather closes in.
The walkers reached the summit but then found themselves in trouble due to high winds and wintry conditions.
Mr Holmes said they had no map or compass and had become disorientated in the bad weather.
He said: “The conditions really were minging, there was only one car in the car park and it was their car.
“Basically they phoned 999 because they were stuck on the top in bad visibility.
“There seems to have been a bit of a break in the weather and they were able to start moving again, which they did in the right direction.”
The walkers, who are believed to be brothers, were able to stay in contact with the mountain rescue team by phone to receive directions.
The team reached them half way down the hill and walked them back to safety.
Ben Wyvis is popular with walkers from the local area and further afield, and is also used by cross country skiers during the winter.
Mr Holmes said: “Basically it shouldn’t be attempted in winter without all the right equipment.
“Ben Wyvis is an underestimated challenge, the plateau is very exposed and it is easy to get into difficulty.
“I think because it is so benign on a nice day during the summer, people forget who tough it can be in bad weather.”