July 2026
1 incident injured hillwalker (fall); injured hillwalker (lower leg injury) Scotland Serious incident
A hillwalker suffered serious injuries after falling on the descent path from Goatfell and was airlifted by Coastguard helicopter. A second casualty with a lower leg injury was rescued from Coire Fhionn Lochan by Argo Cat. The team also provided first aid to an injured cyclist at the base.
Outcome: casualty airlifted by helicopter for medical care; second casualty evacuated by Argo Cat to Scottish Ambulance Service
February 2026
1 incident Fall/Injury Scotland
A climber fell over 1,500 feet off Goat Fell mountain on Arran after encountering icy conditions. Despite sustaining injuries during the fall and subsequent trek for help, he was eventually found by members of the public and treated at a local hospital.
Outcome: Injured but survived; received medical treatment.
May 2025
2 incidents injured walker Scotland
An injured walker was rescued from Glen Rosa on the Isle of Arran on Friday, May 30, after sustaining a leg injury. With one team member already present in the glen, Arran Mountain Rescue Team provided pain relief and evacuated the casualty by stretcher, handing them over to the Scottish Ambulance Service for further treatment.
Outcome: evacuated by stretcher to Scottish Ambulance Service
Injury/Rescue Scotland
Members of the Arran Mountain Rescue Team were called out to a walker who had sustained a leg injury on the Stacach Ridge at Goatfell Mountain. The casualty was treated by the team and subsequently evacuated from the hill via an Argo vehicle.
Outcome: Evacuated to paramedics
April 2025
2 incidents Medical emergency/Fatality Scotland Serious incident
Emergency services were called to Beinn Ime after a gentleman suffered a medical emergency while on the Munro. Despite a multi-agency response involving mountain rescue and coastguard helicopter support, the individual was pronounced dead at the scene.
Outcome: Deceased
injured hillwalker Scotland Serious incident
A hillwalker sustained a lower leg injury on the A'Chir ridge on Arran and was airlifted to hospital by Coastguard helicopter. Arran Mountain Rescue Team attended the scene, provided pain relief, and stretchered the casualty to safer ground before the helicopter winch evacuation. The casualty's walking companion was escorted safely off the hill as darkness fell.
Outcome: airlifted to hospital by Coastguard helicopter
September 2024
2 incidents medical emergency - suspected stroke Scotland Serious incident
A man suffered a suspected stroke whilst hillwalking on Goatfell on the Isle of Arran and was airlifted to hospital by HM Coastguard search and rescue helicopter. Arran Mountain Rescue Team was called out at approximately 2pm, and the casualty was transferred to the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service.
Outcome: airlifted to hospital by search and rescue helicopter
head injury from fall Scotland Serious incident
A hiker fell on the Witches Step ridge on the Isle of Arran and sustained a head injury on 7 September 2024. The casualty was treated by mountain rescue and airlifted by helicopter to North Glen Sannox, where they were transferred to an ambulance.
Outcome: airlifted by helicopter and passed to ambulance
July 2024
2 incidents missing person Scotland
A woman was lost in woods on the Isle of Arran and was successfully rescued by helicopter using thermal imaging technology. The rescue was covered in local press reporting.
Outcome: rescued by helicopter
lost walker Scotland
A woman became lost whilst walking in woodland on the Isle of Arran on 6 July 2024. Police Scotland's Air Unit located her using thermal imaging and a helicopter landed in a nearby clearing. The woman was provided with first aid and conveyed to hospital; she was cold and tired but otherwise unharmed.
Outcome: located by police helicopter, conveyed to hospital, cold and tired but unharmed
March 2023
1 incident Fall from height/Mountain rescue Scotland Serious incident
A runner fell from an icy mountain ridge on the Isle of Arran, sustaining multiple injuries. Rescue crews were called to the location and airlifted the individual to hospital after initial treatment was provided by a winchman.
Outcome: Hospitalised with multiple injuries
May 2022
1 incident missing person (presumed) Scotland
A backpack with camping equipment was discovered abandoned approximately 100 metres east of the summit of Goatfell on the Isle of Arran. The Arran Mountain Rescue Team appealed for help identifying the owner, as it remained unclear whether the rucksack had been forgotten or intentionally left, and the whereabouts of its owner were unknown.
Outcome: appeal issued for identification of owner
February 2022
1 incident medical emergency Scotland Serious incident
A man suffered a suspected heart attack on Goatfell, Ayrshire's highest peak on the Isle of Arran. The Arran Mountain Rescue Team deployed two Argo Cats and a helicopter to the location, assessed the casualty, and evacuated him by stretcher to hospital for treatment.
Outcome: casualty evacuated by helicopter and stretcher to hospital
October 2021
1 incident lost walkers Scotland
A couple became separated from their group and lost on steep ground near the summit of Goatfell on Arran. One casualty was airlifted with a leg injury; the other was found in forestry after five hours, cold but uninjured.
Outcome: one evacuated by helicopter with leg injury, one found by team members
July 2021
1 incident Climbing/Rescue Scotland
Arran Mountain Rescue Team was called out on Saturday evening after two climbers became stuck on a crag. A rope was lowered to both individuals, allowing them to be safely assisted down the hill and back into Glen Rosa.
Outcome: Rescued, unharmed
August 2019
1 incident missing person Scotland Serious incident
Arran Mountain Rescue Team found a body on Goatfell during a search for missing walker Valerij Tomarenko. The body was discovered in the water shoot area on the west side of the summit. The walker, a translator from Hamburg holidaying on the Isle of Arran, had last been in contact with family on 14 August.
Outcome: body recovered
July 2019
1 incident Lost/Injured Person Scotland
A walker was found alive after spending approximately 48 hours on a mountainside in the Arran Hills. Search efforts involved multiple teams and a Coastguard helicopter until the individual was located near A’ Chir ridge. The casualty received immediate treatment at the scene before being airlifted to hospital.
Outcome: Rescued and hospitalized
April 2019
1 incident missing person Scotland Serious incident
A 17-year-old male was reported missing on Arran and was found dead near Glenashdale Falls approximately two days later. The incident prompted widespread tributes to the deceased.
Outcome: body recovered
September 2017
1 incident injured walker Scotland
A 64-year-old walker sustained a leg injury in a fall on Goat Fell, Isle of Arran at approximately 13:00 on Wednesday. Arran Mountain Rescue Team attended and carried her to safety on a stretcher, after which she was airlifted to hospital by coastguard helicopter.
Outcome: airlifted to hospital by coastguard helicopter
May 2017
2 incidents missing person Scotland
A 77-year-old man from Machrie on Arran went missing on an evening walk on Tuesday 30 May, last seen near the village golf course at 18:10. Despite an extensive search involving police, Arran Mountain Rescue, RAF, RNLI and coastguard, he remained missing several days later. The man is vulnerable, requires daily medication, and has poor mobility.
injured walker Scotland Serious incident
An injured walker with a serious lower leg injury was rescued from the foot of Bennan Head cliffs on the Kildonan Coast. The Arran RNLI lifeboat crew located the casualty and worked with Arran Mountain Rescue Team and Coastguard to facilitate evacuation by Rescue Helicopter 999 to Crosshouse Hospital.
Outcome: casualty winched to safety by Rescue Helicopter 999 and transferred to Crosshouse Hospital for medical treatment
March 2016
1 incident injured walker Scotland Serious incident
A woman fell 100–150 metres near the summit of Goat Fell on the Isle of Arran on Monday afternoon, sustaining various injuries. She was winched to safety by coastguard search and rescue helicopter, and the rest of her party were guided down by team members.
Outcome: casualty airlifted by helicopter
September 2015
2 incidents injured paraglider Scotland Serious incident
A paraglider collided mid-air with another paraglider near Catacol on Arran and crashed into a cliff, becoming injured and unconscious. Arran Mountain Rescue Team abseiled down to reach him, and he was airlifted by Royal Navy helicopter to hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
Outcome: casualty airlifted to hospital by Royal Navy helicopter
Paragliding accident/Rescue Scotland
A paraglider sustained injuries after being involved in a mid-air collision on Arran. Members of the local Mountain Rescue Team were required to abseil down a cliff at Catacol to reach him. He was subsequently flown to Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow.
Outcome: Injured, transported to hospital