The deaths of three people – two men and a woman - in Glen Coe has thrown the issue of mountain safety into stark relief.

Every year hundreds of people venture into the Scottish hills, seeking majestic views and challenging terrain as they indulge their passion for the outdoors.

But the stunning scenery can turn deadly with hazards around every corner and weather which can change a pleasant hike into a scramble for survival within hours.  

Just how dangerous are Scotland’s mountains?

Every year there are fatalities in the Scottish hills. So far, deaths include that of an 80-year-old climber who fell from a 3,064-foot mountain at Coire a' Bhasteir on the Isle of Skye, a 32-year-old who died falling from man Ben Cruachan, near Dalmally, and that of Kyle Sambrook, who also fell in Glencoe. 

The Herald:

Kyle Sambrook

Have there been worse years?

In 2022 Scottish Mountain Rescue teams were called out 843 times to 636 incidents. These involved 21 deaths, with 11 of them mountaineering accidents. 

These included six deaths in the space of two weeks between February and March.


READ MORE: Five climbers rescued near Old Man of Hoy


In 2021 there were 19 deaths over the year, seven of which occurred in mountaineering incidents. 

Is the place where the three hikers died particularly dangerous? 

Traversing Aonach Eagach involves covering about six miles (9km) and can take up to nine hours to complete. 

The high, narrow, exposed ridge runs almost the length of Glen Coe and links two summits - 953m (3,127ft) Meall Dearg and 967m (3,172ft) Sgòrr nam Fiannaidh. 

Its name means "notched ridge", a refence to its jagged, rocky terrain. 

Much of the route involves scrambling - a mountaineering term meaning climbers using their hands to help keep their balance on steep, difficult terrain. 

The Herald:

The ridge is popular with keen and experienced climbers and dozens traverse Aonach Eagach safely every year. 

But it has been the site of fatalities, with seven people losing their lives on the ridge since 2014, included a 63-year-old woman in September that year and a 44-year-old man in July 2016. 

Last September, the body of Alan Taylor, from Dundee, was found in a gully near the ridge. The 57-year-old had been missing since September 2021. 

What have the experts been saying about the most recent fatalities?  

David Whalley, a veteran mountaineer and former RAF mountain rescue team leader known in the climbing community by his nickname "Heavy", said conditions could change quickly on Aonach Eagach. 


READ MORE: Three people found dead after going missing in Glen Coe


He told BBC radio's Good Morning Scotland programme: "It is one of the best ridges in Scotland. It's a wonderful thing and I have done it quite a few times, and done quite a few rescues on it. 

"There are a few tricky bits, with greasy rocks. The weather is always changing - one minute it is clear and the next the mist is down."

 The Herald:

He added: "The big problem is if it all goes wrong there are very few places to get off, so you have to keep going or go back the way you came." 

Mr Whalley added: "We mustn't forget we are talking about people and grief going on in (families') lives." 

"Mountaineering is wonderful but it is a risk sport and we all live with that when we are out in the mountains."