A man in his 40s has been found after being lost in the Highlands for more than 20 hours.

The holidaymaker was discovered by police in west Sutherland in the early hours of Sunday as reinforcements were being drafted in for the search.

Police said he banged his head after falling in a burn and became disorientated. He also lost his phone.

The man, who is from the Gloucester area, left his hotel near Kinlochbervie at about 0730 GMT on Saturday.

Snow and rain

Police said he had spent the day hillwalking and birdwatching in the Rhiconich area and was not dressed for serious climbing or walking.

The hotel alerted the authorities that their guest had not returned.

Searchers, including the police, dog handlers, three mountain rescue teams and the Stornoway Coastguard helicopter, were faced with snow, rain and driving winds.

After spending a day and night in wild country, most of it in the dark and poor weather, the man was found on the road by officers in a police car.

He was discovered near the Laxfordbridge area, outside the official search area at 0350 GMT.