Climbing legend Andy Nisbet, 65, of Aberdeen - who was one of the two men killed on Ben Hope - was previously honoured at the prestigious Fort William Mountain Festival and had written countless guidebooks.

Mr Nisbet received the Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture in 2014.

READ MORE: Two walkers die after falling on Ben Hope 

"Over the decades Andy has gone to incredible lengths to bring climbers a highly accurate and detailed record of the tens of thousands of climbs across Scotland in the SMC's climber's guidebook series," said the festival.

"Known for his boundless enthusiasm, humour and pioneering attitude, Andy exemplifies the passion for mountain culture that this award celebrates.

"Andy's life's passion has been exploring and opening hundreds of new routes on Scotland's mountains and sharing his unparalleled knowledge of the Scottish cliffs in his guidebooks.

"With almost 1,000 new winter routes to his name he has made far more first ascents in winter than any other Scottish climber.

"With these first ascents, he has introduced many climbers to new cliffs and corners of the country they might not otherwise have discovered. Every climber who has picked up a guidebook to inspire and inform them owes Andy a huge debt for his commitment and enthusiasm."

This year's event is being staged between February 20 and 24.

Steve Perry, who also died, was known for his incredible 2005-2006 accomplishment of completing a solo, continuous winter round of all 284 - at the time, now 282 - Munros entirely on foot, with no other means of transport between mountain areas.

It is believed they fell while moving roped together on the upper slopes of the Ben Hope having completed their route.

And BBC presenter, mountaineer Cameron McNeish also paid his own tributes to the pair.

He said on Twitter: "Utterly devastated this morning at the news of the loss of Andy Nisbet and Steve Perry on Ben Hope.

"Both were gargantuan and inspiring figures in Scotland's mountaineering scene.
"A massive loss to us all."