Motherwell grandad fell to his death in Glencoe after making phone call to son

A much-loved Motherwell grandad tragically fell to his death in Glencoe moments after making a final phone call to his family.

Tributes have been paid to 74-year-old Freddie Rae after his shock death at the weekend. The pensioner was found on Beinn a' Chrulaiste when the alarm was raised after he failed to return from his hillwalk on Saturday, May 11.

The fit and healthy grandad-of-two had left his home in the North Lanarkshire town and headed to the Highlands to 'make the most of the weather' as the country enjoyed a heat wave.

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The experienced climber scaled the peak and took in the breathtaking views, before tragedy struck on the way down.

Devastated son Peter Rae, 39, has told how his dad made his last phone call to his brother to say he had reached the top and was in great spirits.

Peter told the Daily Record: “Dad died doing what he loved.

"He got to the top of the mountain at 3.30pm on Saturday and he phoned my brother to say he had made it. He told him about the super views and what a great day it was to climb it. He was so happy."

Peter led the tributes to Freddie, who had clocked off 200 Munros in over 50 years of hillwalking.

He often joined his dad as he conquered various Munros across Scotland and has fond memories of going up to the Cairngorms to go wild camping.

Peter continued: "Dad was a positive man, an inspiration to all us. He kept us all together and now we're left picking up the pieces.

"He was very experienced which makes what has happened all the more of a shock.

"He took up hillwalking in the 70s and just lived for it. I’m glad I wasn’t brought up with iPads - instead I got to learn loads from my dad about the Scottish hills.

"Recently he took his two granddaughters up Munros as well.

"He would help anyone who had never climbed hills before to make sure they were kitted out and safe."

Freddie’s family have paid a heartfelt thanks to the 14 members of the Glencoe Mountain Rescue who did their best to find him after concerns were first raised around 7.15pm on Saturday.

Peter said: "It wasn’t the outcome we all wanted, but thanks to Glencoe Mountain Rescue, we were able to find my dad and bring him home.

"The whole family is indebted to them. I don’t think they get enough respect for what they do. They are putting their lives at risk as well."

A spokesperson for Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team said: "Our condolences to the man's friends and family. You are in our thoughts at this time."

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The family have urged people to donate to Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team’s fundraiser to help them continue their heroic work.

A Police Scotland spokesman said: "We were made aware of concern for an overdue hillwalker in the Glencoe area around 7.15pm on Saturday, 11 May.

"The Glencoe Mountain Rescue Team carried out a search and the body of the 74-year-old man was found on Beinn a' Chrulaiste."

They added: "His body has been recovered and his of kin are aware. There are no suspicious circumstances and a report will be submitted to the Procurator Fiscal."

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