THE body of a 65-year-old hillwalker was found yesterday, almost 60 hours after the man reported himself lost on Lochnagar mountain in the Grampians.

Police Scotland confirmed the body was found at noon yesterday after a search that started on Friday night.

As the country was hit by heavy winds and torrential rain, with a yellow weather warning lasting until this morning, more than 80 people were involved in the search operation.

The man had not been identified by the time The National went to press. Hopes had been fading for him after he remained missing for a second night on the mountain. The search resumed yesterday morning.

Inspector Darren Bruce of the South Aberdeenshire Command Area said: “Trained mountain rescue teams have worked tirelessly and in extremely difficult conditions this weekend. It is sad to learn that someone has succumbed to the elements.”

Earlier, police revealed that the hillwalker raised the alarm himself by phone on Friday.

He was sighted that afternoon on a path ascending Lochnagar, but contact was lost that evening.

Inspector Matt Smith of Police Scotland said during the search: “We got a couple of phone calls through to him on the night but we’ve had very limited contact and we’ve had pretty much no contact since the night itself.

“The rescue helicopter was beaten back on the first night. Very, very difficult conditions.”

Braemar Mountain Rescue Team said winds of 100mph were recorded nearby on Saturday.

Mountain rescue teams from Aberdeen and Tayside also took part in the search, as did rescue volunteers from Cumbria who were training in the area.

In a separate search operation, two hillwalkers in their forties who were also reported missing on Friday in the Perthshire hills north of Blair Atholl were found safe on Saturday.

The wet and windy weather is set to be replaced by more snow and gales this week. Severe frosts are expected across the country, with sleet and snow affecting some areas while storms in the middle of the week will bring gales as well as heavy rain, and the possibility of hail and thunder.