Glencoe skier search resumes after avalanche
The search for a skier missing after an avalanche near Glencoe Ski Centre in the west Highlands is to resume at first light.
Emergency services were alerted to the incident at an "off-piste" skiing area in the Etive Glades on Saturday.
Glencoe Mountain Resort said an experienced off-piste skier had been caught in the major avalanche.
Northern Constabulary is co-ordinating the search, with members of Glencoe and Lochaber rescue teams.
That search - which was called off as darkness fell on Saturday - included an RAF Lossiemouth helicopter.
John Grieve, leader of Glencoe Mountain Team, said the avalanche travelled about 1,000ft down the slope's rocky face.
'Snow 40-foot deep'
"The avalanche has actually gone into a gully, and in some places the snow is about 40ft deep," he said.
He added that it was unlikely the skiier had survived in those circumstances.
There have been a number of serious incidents as a result of avalanches in Scotland this year.
In January four experienced climbers died on Bidean Nam Bianin Glencoe.
Three people also died after an avalanche in the Cairngorms in February.
Two of the climbers were off-duty members of the RAF Mountaineering Association. The third fatality was a student on a course at the Glenmore Lodge outdoor centre.
In the same week there was a second fatal avalanche involving a hillwalker.