Two men have died after falling on a mountain in the Highlands.

Concerns had been raised regarding two men in difficulty on Ben Hope in Sutherland on Tuesday at about 3.45pm.

A search operation was launched involving the Assynt mountain rescue team and a coastguard helicopter.

The helicopter crew discovered the bodies on the north-west side of the 927-metre (3,041ft) mountain shortly after 2am on Wednesday.

Police said efforts to recover the bodies were continuing.

Insp Kevin Macleod expressed his sympathy for the families of the men and thanked the mountain rescue volunteers.

He said: “Our thoughts are with the family and friends of both of these men at this tragic time. I would also like to pass on our gratitude to the volunteers of Assynt mountain rescue team for their efforts in extremely challenging conditions.”