THE two Scottish Parachute Regiment soldiers who died climbing in

Glencoe were probably killed instantly by an avalanche.

Their bodies were found -- roped together -- under 16ft of snow at the

bottom of Summit Gully yesterday after they had been swept down on

3500ft Stob Coire nan Beith.

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

Reid, 24, from Stranraer, were last seen alive on Friday morning by two

novice climbing colleagues in the Parachute Regiment.

It emerged last night that the soldiers -- although experienced

climbers -- had not left a specific route itinerary during their

off-duty weekend in Glencoe, and that their timetable for a return to

the holiday base was also vague.

It is understood the two had agreed to signal by flashlight to their

compatriots that night, if going to be late coming down or if staying

out overnight.

Although no light was seen, the alarm was not raised until Sunday

night. It was assumed the men, trained in winter warfare and personal

survival, had decided to remain on the mountain -- fully capable of

handling the worst storms.

Mountain rescue leader Hamish MacInnes last night appealed to all

climbers to ensure they left full details of routes because precise

locations could prove vital in saving lives on the hills.

But of the latest tragedy he said: ''Under the circumstances, an

earlier alarm would have made no difference.''

He said some climbers did not provide routes and timetables because

they feel it was an infringement, but insisted: ''People should leave

word about where they are going. It can be a matter of life or death to

know where to look, especially if someone is injured, bad weather comes

in, and they are exposed.''

The bodies were flown to Fort William in an RAF Sea King helicopter,

where relatives were informed of the tragedy and are being comforted by

Army personnel.

Hopes faded on Monday that the men, both bachelor members of the 5th

Airborne Brigade based at Aldershot, would be found alive. Climbing

equipment had been found in the gully, where 20ft snowdrifts had

gathered.

High avalanche risks prevented a full search of the gully base until

yesterday. More than 80 members from three mountain rescue teams joined

police, dog handlers, and a helicopter in appalling weather conditions.

L/Cpl Callaghan, who joined the Army in 1988, served in Northern

Ireland and Brunei. Pte Reid, whose passion was mountain climbing,

enlisted in 1986, and served in Northern Ireland, Belize, Spain, and the

US.

Their platoon commander, described them as ''extremely capable and

professional soldiers''.