A COUNCILLOR who volunteers with Arrochar’s mountain rescue team has urged people to “stay off the hills” for the time being after he and his colleagues were called out to their first rescue since lockdown restrictions were imposed.

Lomond North ward councillor Iain Shonny Paterson made the plea after the rescue team’s volunteers went to the aid of three walkers who got lost in the mist on The Cobbler on Sunday afternoon.

The trio, from Motherwell, were all fined for breaching lockdown restrictions after they were escorted down the hill.

READ MORE: Walkers fined for lockdown breach after Arrochar mountain rescue

Restrictions on solo outdoor exercise were set to be eased slightly from Thursday onwards, though First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said last week that it was likely people would be asked to stay ‘fairly local’ when going for exercise, with a guide – though not a strict limit – of no more than five miles from their home.

Cllr Paterson said: “Think carefully, and consider what you do regarding outdoor activity.

“Luckily the group on Sunday were just lost and needed escorted off the hill, but if they had been injured and needed medical help this puts the team at risk."

Sunday’s callout followed an incident in which three men from Airdrie were fined after travelling 40 miles to Loch Lomond to go fishing on May 13.

READ MORE: Lockdown trio fined after travelling 40 miles to go fishing at Loch Lomond

Cllr Paterson was not part of the team who took part in Sunday's rescue because of family health issues.

But he continued: “We do have procedures in place now that reflect the current health crisis.

“If we have to rescue someone who later turns out to have Covid-19 this would mean team members who were involved having to go into quarantine, or more worryingly infecting a vulnerable member of their family.

“We do not want people not to go out but please consider the potential consequences of going into a remote environment, and stay off the hills for the time being.”

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