THREE hillwalkers have been found dead after failing to return from a walk in Glen Coe.

Police Scotland said bodies were discovered during a search for the three missing people, which had been launched after the group failed to return from Aonach Eagach Ridge.

The alarm was raised around 21:05 on Saturday, 5 August.

HM Coastguard as well as Glencoe and RAF mountain rescue teams assisted with the recovery operation.

A force spokesperson added: "There do not appear to be any suspicious circumstances. A report will be submitted to the procurator fiscal."

A spokesperson for HM Coastguard said: “HM Coastguard assisted Police Scotland following reports of three missing walkers in Glencoe on Saturday, August 5.

“Alerted at around 10.50pm, the Coastguard helicopter from Inverness assisted with a thorough search of the Aonach Eagach ridge.

“The helicopter from Prestwick provided further support to police and mountain rescue teams Sunday morning.”

The ridge, Aonach Eagach, is said to be one of the narrowest in Scotland and requires a scrambling ability to cross.

The rocky six-mile stretch includes two Munro summits - Sgorr nam Fiannaidh at 3,175ft high and Meall Dearg at 3,124ft high.

Kate Forbes, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, offered her condolonces online.

She wrote: "This is horrendous news. My thoughts are with the families. My sincere appreciation to Mountain Rescue, as always, and the emergency services."