HOPES were fading last night for two Scottish soldiers who have been

lost in appalling weather in Glencoe for more than four days.

Lance Corporal Paul Callaghan, 26, from Glasgow, and Private David

Reid, 24, from Stranraer, of the Parachute Regiment, were last seen

alive on Friday morning as they began an off-duty climbing weekend.

A rescue operation, involving 60 searchers and nine dogs, was called

off yesterday afternoon as gale-force winds and wintry storms raged

through the glen. It will begin again at first light today, weather

permitting.

Earlier, an ice axe and two climbing clips, almost certainly used by

the two paratroopers, was found near the bottom of Summit Gully on

3500ft Stob Coire nan Beith.

One theory being considered by the searchers is that the men either

fell, or were hit by an avalanche, and landed at the foot of the gully.

Twenty feet of snow has collected in the area, and it is possible they

have been enveloped by it. The high avalanche risk yesterday prevented a

full examination of the gully base.

Mr Hamish MacInnes, leader of Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team, last night

rated the soldiers' chances of survival as low. He said: ''It doesn't

look too hopeful.''

He described conditions yesterday as extremely bad, and said the

search team had faced a highly dangerous task as fresh snow fell. One

member of the Glencoe team was caught by an avalanche and had to radio

for help from his colleagues.

The mountain rescue team was joined by RAF search parties from

Leuchars and Kinloss, while a Sea King helicopter from RAF Lossiemouth

was on standby.

Both men, whose home addresses have not been disclosed by the police

for security reasons, serve in the 5th Airborne Brigade of the Parachute

Regiment, based at Aldershot.

A spokesman said they were experienced climbers and knew the Glencoe

area well. The regiment's extensive training programme includes climbs

at high altitude in winter.