Three Motherwell hillwalkers had to be rescued during lockdown after getting lost in mist up a mountain.

The walkers were also slapped with fines by Police Scotland once they were brought to safety from The Cobbler at the weekend.

Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team said that Sunday’s rescue was the first they have carried out since lockdown began.

“Arrochar MRT were called out by Police Scotland at 3.20pm for three hillwalkers from Motherwell who were lost in the mist on The Cobbler, Arrochar, Argyll.

“All three were located and safely escorted down the hill (from a safe distance). Police met them at the bottom to discuss/explain the current Scottish regulation on travel during lockdown and issued them with the relevant fine.”

A spokesperson for Police Scotland said: “Police Scotland received a report around 2.38pm yesterday, Sunday, May 24, 2020, relating to three walkers who had reported becoming lost whilst out walking on The Cobbler, Arrochar.

“A search was organised using the Arrochar Mountain Rescue Team and the three men were found safe and well, and walked off the mountain.

“As a consequence, each of the men, aged, 21, 22 and 23 years were issued with a fixed penalty ticket relating to a breach of the Covid-19 regulations.”