UK UK - Neil Skinner, 72, last seen midday, camping close Loch Dochard, Scottish Highlands, 8 May 2022

[touch]

Again reality was, Neil had aged, he had health issues, looked frail, had not been outdoors hiking for several years

This doesn't seem to be correct.
A family member posted in this thread (page2):

He got lost last year on a walking trip to Skye and the helicopters were out.

 

[ZeroAlpha]

N/A

 

[Deleted member 350032]

This doesn't seem to be correct.
A family member posted in this thread (page2):

Yes, the first time he had been out for years due to lockdowns and ill health and he separated from his friends in mysterious circumstances. It wasn’t a backpacking or anything hard trekking, it was a few days at Skye

 

[Deleted member 350032]

This doesn't seem to be correct.
A family member posted in this thread (page2):

It states ‘walking trip’

 

[Deleted member 350032]

Yes, the first time he had been out for years due to lockdowns and ill health and he separated from his friends in mysterious circumstances. It wasn’t a backpacking or anything hard trekking, it was a few days at Skye

Things to take into consideration for say a 5-6 day hiking trip apart from weather, distances per day, terrain is most importantly pack weight;
For a 5-6 day hike you are going to need;
Backpack
Tent
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat
Food for the 5-6 days
Waterproofs
Torch
Cooking stove and a pot
Spare clothes
Hiking poles
First aid kit
Any medication
Water bladder or a bottle

These are the essentials, for 5-6 days Neil’s backpack would weigh close to 40 pounds at least, that’s a lot for someone that’s only been out twice in the last four years, and those two times are Skye and Loch Dochard, the later he was struggling to walk 6 miles

They had planned to walk 40-50 miles, some of it can be a challenge for someone that’s only hasn’t been hiking for a long time

Then you take in how steep some parts can be, throw in some bad weather, you can see how someone at 72 years of age with medical conditions could find it more than challenging.

 

[ZeroAlpha]

Things to take into consideration for say a 5-6 day hiking trip apart from weather, distances per day, terrain is most importantly pack weight;
For a 5-6 day hike you are going to need;
Backpack
Tent
Sleeping bag
Sleeping mat
Food for the 5-6 days
Waterproofs
Torch
Cooking stove and a pot
Spare clothes
Hiking poles
First aid kit
Any medication
Water bladder or a bottle

These are the essentials, for 5-6 days Neil’s backpack would weigh close to 40 pounds at least, that’s a lot for someone that’s only been out twice in the last four years, and those two times are Skye and Loch Dochard, the later he was struggling to walk 6 miles

They had planned to walk 40-50 miles, some of it can be a challenge for someone that’s only hasn’t been hiking for a long time

Then you take in how steep some parts can be, throw in some bad weather, you can see how someone at 72 years of age with medical conditions could find it more than challenging.

Easy to see why he would be knackered just walking from Victoria Bridge to Loch Dochard.

Do we know the route that they were planning on walking? Was it past Loch Dochard to Loch Etive and then north to Glen Etive before returning?

 

[Deleted member 350032]

Easy to see why he would be knackered just walking from Victoria Bridge to Loch Dochard.

Do we know the route that they were planning on walking? Was it past Loch Dochard to Loch Etive and then north to Glen Etive before returning?

Good question because many people have never asked what their original plans were

They planned to leave Victoria Bridge Car Park, up to Loch Dochard, then down Glen Kinglass to Ardmaddy Bay at Loch Etive, up Glen Etive along the road to pick up the West Highland Trail behind the Kingshouse Hotel, back down the West Highland Way, coming out at the Lodges near Victoria Bridge Car Park

Some reports have stated 50 miles, others 40 miles, it’s a decent circuit, in good weather very pleasant, some ups and downs, nothing to crazy

But when the weather changes and it rains all day which is common for Scotland it would become a slog, especially in wet clothes setting up a tent each day

My honest opinion, far too much for a 72 year old that wasn’t in the best of health, too ambitious, carrying a heavy pack mile after mile

His daughter told me that Neil had told her in a telephone conversation a couple weeks before the trip that one of his legs/feet were giving him pain, don’t know if it was an old injury or simply arthritis

 

[ZeroAlpha]

Good question because many people have never asked what their original plans were

They planned to leave Victoria Bridge Car Park, up to Loch Dochard, then down Glen Kinglass to Ardmaddy Bay at Loch Etive, up Glen Etive along the road to pick up the West Highland Trail behind the Kingshouse Hotel, back down the West Highland Way, coming out at the Lodges near Victoria Bridge Car Park

Some reports have stated 50 miles, others 40 miles, it’s a decent circuit, in good weather very pleasant, some ups and downs, nothing to crazy

But when the weather changes and it rains all day which is common for Scotland it would become a slog, especially in wet clothes setting up a tent each day

My honest opinion, far too much for a 72 year old that wasn’t in the best of health, too ambitious, carrying a heavy pack mile after mile

His daughter told me that Neil had told her in a telephone conversation a couple weeks before the trip that one of his legs/feet were giving him pain, don’t know if it was an old injury or simply arthritis

Right, so they were planning to do a circular trip and not double back. Presumably, Neil would be expected to walk back to meet them at Victoria Bridge. Were his friends of similar age or a lot younger?

 

[Deleted member 350032]

His friends by the photos I have seen were a little younger but much fitter, they like to what is known as ‘ramble’ during the weekends, this is where Neil’s so called experience comes from, easy walks then finished at a pub

This trip to Loch Dochard and beyond was planned by the two friends, Neil found out at the last minute and asked to join

As you can see I have done my homework, my friend and myself have lived and breathed this case, we have thrown so many theories at each other, picked through the holes in the reports, dug deep and found a lot out that no one really knows, we have gone over the route, times and covered all angles, it’s amazing what you find out when you dig deep

Not just in this case but in so many other missing cases in Scotland, some that sadly ended tragically, what was first reported as a very experienced hiker or Mountaineer, is later found to be a very inexperienced day tripper that has done a few wild camps and started pushing their limits too far in the Scottish Highlands to impress a YouTube audience

 

[seasideForest]

But when the weather changes and it rains all day which is common for Scotland it would become a slog, especially in wet clothes setting up a tent each day

Yep. Nothing like a hill-walk in sodden clothes with wet bracken half-way up your thighs and then having to set up camp in pouring rain when you'd much rather go into a nice warm building and stick your feet up.

And also of course if you're no longer as physically fit as you once were and possibly in denial about that/wish it weren't so. MOO

@BillK9 , I'm wondering with all the information you're bringing onto the forum if you might need to register as a Verified Insider mbr? Here we have to provide a source for our information, except if you are a Verified Insider in a particular case. I don't know if you'd qualify, but there's a thread about it Verified Professional and Insider Members

I believe you and what you're writing fwiw.

 

[ZeroAlpha]

Yep.
And also of course if you're no longer as physically fit as you once were and possibly in denial about that/wish it weren't so. MOO

@BillK9 , I'm wondering with all the information you're bringing onto the forum if you might need to register as a Verified Insider mbr? Here we have to provide a source for our information, except if you are a Verified Insider in a particular case. I don't know if you'd qualify, but there's a thread about it Verified Professional and Insider Members

I believe you and what you're writing fwiw.

Yep, Bill is legit.

 

[seasideForest]

Yep, Bill is legit.

Absolutely.
But I'd hate for all his posts and information to be taken down. otoh it's a pretty quiet thread so maybe nobody'll come along and do so. Keeping my fingers crossed.

 

[ZeroAlpha]

Absolutely.
But I'd hate for all his posts and information to be taken down. otoh it's a pretty quiet thread so maybe nobody'll come along and do so. Keeping my fingers crossed.

I get what you are saying. I have had posts taken down because they were "unverified".

 

[Deleted member 350032]

Absolutely.
But I'd hate for all his posts and information to be taken down. otoh it's a pretty quiet thread so maybe nobody'll come along and do so. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Thanks, I didn’t realise that could happen on here, just sent an email to get verification

 

[ZeroAlpha]

Neil may be further west, towards Glen Kinglass, south of Beinn nan Lus. It would be great if he was found in early April (4th-5th).

I think Bill has done all he can, and he has made a good effort. There is only so much you can do, and there comes a time to call it a day.

I'll be walking from Victoria Bridge to Glen Kinglass at some point in the near future, but there is only so much you can do off the beaten path.

Maybe the assumption that he went far off the path is wrong. Maybe he did walk out from the area or headed west to catch up with his walking companions. Maybe he did climb the high ground to the north or was carried down the river, which was in spate.

My focus is west, and the mystery may deepen further.

 

[ZeroAlpha]

The main path and its flanks were searched from day one onwards by ground teams, and helicopters searched further out from that. You can then quickly rule out the immediate area of the campsite and the main paths by day two of searching. Once you get into the rough terrain, off the beaten track, you need to start systematically searching grid by grid, marking off each grid that has been searched. Hand-held computer systems using GPS are great for this and will colour in the grid that has been searched and confirmed. How much beyond the "immediate area" was searched is not fully known.

 

[Bluebear15]

Well exactly what I expected has finally happened, a new member joins the discussion to try to destroy what I have been conducting for the past 20 months in regards to searching for Neil Skinner.
To correct a few points you raised, first I am an ex Royal Marine that was arctic trained, I am used to terrible weather conditions and terrain, I have many years experience of being out in mountainous terrain.
Second I am an ex Police Dog handler, part of my job was searching for missing people, I carried out that work for several years.
In regards to what has been reported regarding sightings of Neil Skinner, you are incorrect , the reports of someone seeing Neil poke his head out of his tent are a narrative that was pushed out by certain people. I have spoken to police officers that were in the search team that looked for Neil, so I know my facts are correct.
As for my elderly dog and your concerns, trust me that dog has more stamina and a far better attitude than some people that like to be keyboard warriors.
Finally, I know alot more than I have ever revealed regarding this case, I have spoken to police regarding my findings.
The YouTube videos were to show the friends and family regular updates of our searching, they are also being used to raise funds for mountain rescue.
Just like my thoughts and ideas regarding this strange case, yours are just as speculative.

You should apply for verified insider status.

 

[Deleted member 350032]

You should apply for verified insider status.

I have but I am still awaiting an reply, they say it can take months

 

[Sillybilly]

I have but I am still awaiting an reply, they say it can take months

Hi BillK9,

Not sure where you would have heard that it can take "months". Typically it takes from 2 to 10 days, depending on specifics of the verification.

I've checked with our Verification Coordinator. Your initial application was received November 21 and an immediate request for specific documentation was sent back to you that same day. Nothing was received in response to that request.

You may wish to check your emails of that date to see if you've missed it. (Other than that, it may have gone into a Spam folder).

Sillybilly
WS Administrator

 

[Deleted member 350032]

Hi BillK9,

Not sure where you would have heard that it can take "months". Typically it takes from 2 to 10 days, depending on specifics of the verification.

I've checked with our Verification Coordinator. Your initial application was received November 21 and an immediate request for specific documentation was sent back to you that same day. Nothing was received in response to that request.

You may wish to check your emails of that date to see if you've missed it. (Other than that, it may have gone into a Spam folder).

Sillybilly
WS Administrator

Just checked and yes it was the 21st November, I sent my telephone number as requested because it stated that a telephone number was need to validate, I also sent name, address and documents but never received any reply, it stated that validation can take some considerable time