A 28-year-old male cyclist from Evanton was descending the Ben's Highland Wildcat mountain bike trail on the "rollercoaster" section, which includes several blind summits, and where speeds can reach up to 25mph. On coming over the top of one summit in mid-air, he realised there were people below him walking on the trail but he was unable to avoid colliding with one of them.

Subsequently both he and a 51-year-old woman from Dingwall, who was part of a group of three women who had been walking on the track, were airlifted to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, where he was treated for back injuries and she for a broken arm. Both were released over the weekend.

A police spokesman said: "This highlights the fact that walkers must be careful when walking on the Ben and near other cycle tracks.

"The routes are well signposted and walkers should be aware that fast-travelling cyclists may be using the route."

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