Police are continuing to search for Brian Mcgillicuddy, 64, who was reported missing after failing to return from a planned hike on Ben Nevis on Thursday 19th of February 2026.
He was last seen around 4am on Glasdrum Road in Fort William and later at 8.30am at the CIC Hut, with officers believing he may have intended to climb towards Orion Face Direct.
Brian is described as 6ft 1ins tall, of slim build, with short grey white hair.
When last seen he was wearing a white climbing helmet, a dark blue jacket, white jeans and blue and red gaiters.
Search teams have been working in challenging conditions as efforts continue on and around the UK’s highest peak.
Sergeant Gareth Ford said:
“Extensive searches, involving specialist resources, are ongoing despite challenging conditions.
“We are not sure of Brian’s intended route, so I’m appealing to anyone who thinks they may have seen him, or someone matching the description, in the area on Thursday to come forward.
“Any information, no matter how small it may seem, could greatly assist our search teams.”
Sergeant Paige Macdonald said:
“Brian is an experienced hill walker, but he did not return from his planned hike and has not been heard from since.
“I am appealing to anyone who may have seen someone matching Brian’s description to please come forward with information, no matter how small it may seem.”
Ben Nevis attracts climbers and walkers from across Scotland and beyond, and police are urging anyone who was in the area on Thursday morning to think back carefully to anything unusual they may have seen.
Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3544 of 19th of February 2026.
Search efforts continue as family, friends and rescuers hope for news of the experienced hill walker who set out before dawn and has not been seen since.
