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Missing Hillwalker – Update

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Skye Mountain Rescue Team can confirm that at around 2pm on Saturday 8th November a body was found on the cliffs of the west face of Clach Glas.

Due to the challenging location, the body was recovered the following day with assistance from Kintail Mountain Rescue Team, Glenelg Mountain Rescue Team, the Police Scotland (Highland) Mountain Rescue Team, and the HM Coastguard helicopter R948.

Formal identification has now taken place, and the body has been confirmed as that of Matthias Beutin, 57. His family has been informed.

We would like to thank all those who have supported the search over the past month, including the Royal Air Force Mountain Rescue Team (RAF MRT), the Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA), the Search and Rescue Aerial Association (SARAA), HM Coastguard helicopter R851, and drone operators from the Lake District mountain rescue teams for their kind offer of assistance. Volunteers from Skye Mountain Rescue Team have committed over 800 hours across to the search, and combined efforts from all mountain rescue teams exceed 1,700 hours.

We are grateful to everyone who has given their time and effort to support the search and recovery.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this difficult time.

SAR

Matthias Beutin – Search Continues

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Search efforts for missing walker Matthias Beutin have continued this week whenever weather conditions have allowed, with smaller groups heading out between breaks in the weather.
 
Matthias was last seen on Thursday 9th October 2025, and searches have been carried out regularly since then as conditions permit.
 
Last weekend’s team training was postponed in the hope that a full team search could take place this weekend, but the forecast of high winds, low cloud, and rain means that’s unlikely to be possible.
 
So far, Skye MRT volunteers have given over 500 hours to the search — not including the significant time and support from Glenelg, Kintail, SARDA, SARAA, RAF, and Police MRT teams, as well as Coastguard helicopters.
 
We continue to work closely with Police Scotland as the search progresses.
 
All of this work is carried out by volunteers giving their time to help others, and we’re deeply grateful for the continued support and encouragement we’ve received from the local community on Skye and from many others further afield.
 
Efforts will continue as conditions allow, and our thoughts remain with Matthias’s family throughout this difficult time.
Sgurr nan Gillean

SGURR NAN GILLEAN – FATALITY

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At 1pm on Saturday 23rd August the team was tasked by police Scotland to go to the aid of a male in his 70s who had suffered a medical incident high up on Sgurr nan Gillean. R948, the Stornoway based Coastguard Search and Rescue helicopter, was also tasked but couldn’t reach the casualty due to the low cloudbase. R948 instead deployed 12MRT as close as possible to the incident. Despite the best efforts of his companions and the Rescue Team it was not possible to revive him. The team then escorted his companions off the hill and recovered his body to a position that was accessible for R948 to complete that process. Everyone at Skye MRT would like to convey our deepest condolences to his family. We would also like to extend our gratitude to the crew of R948 and to the management and staff of Sligachan Hotel for being there for us once again.
James Stephenson. SkyeMRT Deputy TL.
Rescue

Multiple Call-outs

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It was a busy weekend for the team, with multiple call-outs.

On Saturday, incidents began just after 1:30pm and the team were continuously out until 7:00am on Sunday morning.

One of these was an 8-hour rescue on Sgùrr Mhic Choinnich, after a well-equipped party of three were caught out by the weather and became cragfast near the summit— once again it turned into an all-nighter, with everyone safely down by first light.

WhatsApp Image 2025-06-07 at 12.58.54

Seven incidents in six days…

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Our busy spell continues, with another seven call-outs in the last six days.
 
On Wednesday morning, we were called out to assist a walker on the Skye Trail who had taken unwell and was extremely cold. The weather that day was pretty challenging, with poor visibility and strong winds in the hills. That incident was still ongoing when we received a second report: Roderick MacPherson, an experienced walker, had last been seen near Sligachan on Monday afternoon and had not made contact with his family since.
 
 
Extensive searches were carried out, mainly focusing on the Red Hills and parts of the Northern Cuillin. On Thursday, thanks to helpful information from a local guide, efforts shifted to the area around Bruach na Frìthe.
Around midday on Friday, with improved weather and cloudless tops, a body was sighted on a grassy ledge high on the cliffs between Harta and Lota Corries. It was immediately clear that lowering the casualty to safety would be long and technically demanding. A team member was lowered to a position above and confirmed there were no signs of life, and that significantly more equipment would be needed.
 
Fortunately, Stornoway Coastguard Helicopter R948 was able to return and carry out a direct lift from the ledge—an incredible effort and a huge relief. The helicopter later returned multiple times to help extract the teams and equipment back to Sligachan.
 
Skye MRT contributed over 350 hours to this search—not including the time and effort given by:
 
Police Scotland (N Division) Mountain Rescue
 
Search and Rescue Dog Association Scotland (SARDA Scotland)
Local Coastguard teams including HM Coastguard – Portree, Isle of Skye
 
The helicopter crews of R948 and R951
 
Our sincere thanks to all involved. Thanks also to the Sligachan Hotel for feeding and supporting us on Wednesday night and Thursday.
 
Finally, Skye MRT extends our deepest condolences to the family and friends of Roderick MacPherson at this very difficult time. While formal identification has yet to be made, we understand this will come as deeply sad news to those that knew him.
Rescue on Sgurr Alasdair, 22 October 2020

2 Incidents: Sgurr Alasdair and The Storr

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Two quite differing call-outs yesterday, just to keep us on our toes.  Mid-morning a male went off route on Sgurr Alasdair and became crag-fast.  Luckily, he’d enough phone signal to raise the alarm.  A long and difficult search ensued in what were misty, murky, greasy conditions.
 
The casualty could be heard at a fairly early stage, but getting to him was another matter entirely.  Thankfully, with light fading, the clag lifted and the Coastguard helicopter from Stornoway was able to ‘pick-off’ the casualty from his rather precarious position in what was a fantastic piece of flying.  Back at base the casualty commented, “Thanks to everyone who helped me stay alive today.”  12 MRT were involved in this search and rescue, with more team members back at base as back-up.  Team members were uplifted by helicopter to Coire Lagan, saving us time and energy before we started our search.
Rescue, Sgurr Alasdair
Rescue at Storr, 22 October
At the same time a female with a broken ankle at the Storr was given first aid, ‘packaged’ by our Team and winched aboard the Coastguard helicopter from Stornoway.  She was flown to Broadford hospital for treatment.  Six MRT were involved in this call-out.
 
Once again, many thanks to both helicopter crews from Stornoway.  Your professionalism is always reassuring and your help is always much appreciated.
 
Stay safe, everyone.
Scottish Mountain Rescue
St John Scotland
Anker

Skye Mountain Rescue
Sluggans Rescue Unit,
Sluggans,
Portree,
Isle of Skye, 
IV51 9LY

Registered Charity SC)38386

If you require assistance in an emergency, dial 999, ask for POLICE and then MOUNTAIN RESCUE.

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