Two 'intrepid' walkers have been rescued after taking a shortcut down a gully on Ben Nevis.

The pair became cragfast - stuck on a rock face and unable to ascend or descend - on dangerous ground on Antler Gully.

Lochaber Mountain Rescue said the stranded walkers were difficult to locate because they were dressed in black but they were eventually winched to safety.

The rescue team shared a photo of the gully on social media today writing: 

“If you look carefully at the picture below you can just about spot an intrepid pair who became crag fast on dangerous ground on the top spur of Antler Gully, while trying to take a short cut down Ben Nevis.

The Herald:

“Thankfully someone skilful flying and winch work by R151 had the pair delivered to safety before the crew headed down to assist Glencoe Mountain Rescue.

Volunteers said they had responded to a steady stream of calls in the last seven days, “all with positive outcomes.”

It comes after Scottish mountaineering charities criticised Google for suggesting routes up Ben Nevis and other Munros they say are “potentially fatal” and direct people over a cliff.

The John Muir Trust, which looks after the upper reaches of the UK’s highest mountain, said attempts to contact the company over the issue have been met with silence.

The charity said certain searches for routes up Ben Nevis on Google Maps direct users to the car park nearest the summit as the crow flies, and then indicate a walking route that is “highly dangerous, even for experienced climbers”.