Man speaks of family torment as rescuers continue search for missing hillwalker
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Alan Gibson’s body was recovered at the weekend after he and his brother Neil were caught in an avalanche while out walking in Wester Ross.
Neil Gibson’s body has still to be found and rescue workers fear it could be weeks before it is, as the Highland hills are gripped by treacherous winter conditions.
On Thursday their brother Dave struggled to find the words to describe his family’s grief as he spoke exclusively to the Courier from their mother Janet’s home in Nairn.
"It’s difficult to know what to say," he said. "They found my wee brother’s body last week and my other brother is still lying under deep snow somewhere."
Neil (63) and Alan (56) were experienced hillwalkers who set out to climb a group of Munros north of Strathcarron early last Thursday with Alan’s black pointer Archie.
They left Achnashellach around 7.45am but the alarm was raised when they failed to return that evening.
Torridon, Kintail, Dundonnell and RAF mountain rescue teams were assisted by search dogs and Inverness and Stornoway Coastguard helicopters.
Alan’s body was found by rescuers on Saturday.
The divorced father-of-two had travelled from his County Durham home to join his brother on the trip.
Neil, the eldest of four brothers, is still missing. And the dog is also yet to be found.
Their brother Ian is flying back to Nairn from Canberra, Australia, this week for Alan’s funeral and to be with their mother Janet who lives at Rowan Place in Nairn.
Their late father, Cameron, was a minister in Nairn.
Dave said the family was stunned to have been caught up in such a "unique and tragic" set of circumstances.
He has travelled from his home in Aberdeen to be at his mother’s side, and said it all seemed surreal when the search teams went out to look for his brothers but it was now "all too real".
But he said sad events often brought out the best in people and the family was really thankful for the support from the community and beyond.
He said: "Sadly my family are caught in the middle of a set of unique and tragic circumstances but we would like to thank all of our friends and family in the local community and beyond who have rallied round with great kindness.
"We would also like to thank all the rescue services for their bravery in recovering Alan and commend them for their continued effort in the search for Neil."
Blizzards and risk of avalanches hampered the search for Neil again yesterday.
Alan’s funeral is being held at 10am next Friday at Inverness Crematorium.
A larger service will take place at the Nairn Old Parish Church at noon.
Rev Alison Mehigan, Parish Minister at the Nairn Old Parish Church, said: "The late Rev Cameron Gibson was the much loved and respected Minister of Nairn Old Parish Church from 1968 to 1980 and therefore his wife and four sons were, and continued to be, very much part of our church family. The loss of Alan and Neil, two former sons of the manse, is hard for all to bear.
"The service at Nairn Old Parish Church will very much be a celebration of Alan’s life."
Nairn’s SNP councillor Liz MacDonald said: "There are many in Nairn who are upset by this tragic accident and my thoughts and those of the town are with Alan and Neil’s family and friends at this sad time."
