A study by the UK Search and Rescue Working Group is underway and is expected to conclude this summer when the final costs of radio replacement will be known. The precise amount to be provided by the Executive will be decided once the full costs of the project are clear. The Mountain Rescue Committee of Scotland has already raised around £200,000.

Speaking in Parliament later in the week, Mr McConnell said:
Safety on our Scottish mountains and hills is critical to the tens of thousands who use them every weekend and to our tourism industry. I intend to take up two issues that were raised with me on Sunday.
The first is on-going revenue funding, which is about £60,000 a year for Scottish Mountain Rescue. That looks as though it is insufficient.
Secondly, mountain safety provisions are required. At the moment, such provisions receive low-level funding from sportscotland without input from any other public agency. We could be doing better on both issues and I look forward to resolving matters in the months ahead.

Speaking on Mountain Safety at Cairngorm, Mr McConnell stressed that climbers and walkers must also take responsibility for their own safety and should not rely on mountain rescue teams to get them out of difficulty. He said that, before venturing onto the hills, walkers and climbers should take simple precautions, such as ensuring they were properly dressed and had taken account of the weather conditions.

MCofS Mountain Safety Adviser Roger Wild was on hand to advise that walkers should

• ensure they have the right clothing, footwear and equipment - it can be easy to slip in these conditions and difficult to stop a slide.
• Always carry an ice axe and crampons and learn how to use them before venturing onto serious terrain. Hard packed snow and ice require care and attention to negotiate safely.

Scottish Executive announcement