Missing walkers found safe and well

Rescuers found the youngsters at the spot where they were supposed to be camping near Loch na h-Earba.

A massive search was launched when the girls, thought to be aged 17, failed to arrive at their planned campsite on Friday night.

An RAF helicopter and two mountain rescue teams scoured the area of Feagour near Kinloch Laggan as they tried to trace the girls.

The four, who are thought to be from Perth, were on an expedition for their Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award.

They were well equipped and were found safe at their campsite near Ardverikie House, which features in the television series Monarch Of The Glen.

John Allen, team leader of Cairngorm Mountain Rescue, said: "We have not interviewed them yet so we don't know why they were behind schedule.

"They were late and overdue and their supervisors had lost track of them so the search was launched.

"When we found them they had their tent up where they were supposed to but we don't yet know why they were late last night."

The girls will now be interviewed to find out why they were delayed.