Frantic search for 64-year-old hiker missing after planned Ben Nevis walk

Police are appealing for information on the disappearance of a hillwaker who was due to scale Ben Nevis.

Brian Mcgillicuddy was reported missing yesterday, Thursday, February 19, 2026, after failing to return from a planned walk.

He had been due to climb Ben Nevis and was last seen yesterday at around 4am in Glasdrum Road, in Fort William, in the Highlands.

The street is close to Ben Nevis, and it is believed he intended to walk up to the CIC Hut on Ben Nevis and may have been on Orion Face Direct.

Police describe him as being slim, with short grey/white hair, and being 6ft 1ins tall. He was wearing a white climbing helmet when he was last seen.

He also had on a dark blue jacket, white jeans and blue and red gaiters when he was last spotted.

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.”

Anyone with information is asked to contact Police Scotland on 101, quoting incident number 3544 of 19 February, 2026.