EMERGENCY SERVICES in Perthshire last night launched a major search and rescue operation after a hillwalker was reported missing.

The 48-year-old woman at the centre of the search failed to return from a walk in the Kirkmichael area, some 11 miles north-west of Blairgowrie.

And as conditions worsened and darkness fell, her panicked partner contacted the police at around 7pm.

Highly skilled emergency service personnel then rushed to the scene at Glen Derby in Highland Perthshire.

There they launched a co-ordinated search for the missing woman in treacherous wintry conditions.

Much of the area was covered in at least a foot of snow.

With temperatures plummeting there was great concern for the woman’s safety.

Tayside Police officers and mountain rescue crews were joined at the scene last night by search and rescue dogs and civilian help.

A search and rescue helicopter was also scrambled from Lossiemouth to assist in efforts to trace the missing woman.

“Obviously there is great concern for this woman’s safety, given the plummeting temperatures and the lateness of the hour,” police spokesman Sergeant Ian Scott said.

“This is a very hilly area and conditions are dreadful.

“Obviously it is dark and snow is around a foot deep in most places.

“It really is treacherous.

“However, we are hopeful that a co-ordinated search will have results.”

It is understood the woman was out walking on the hills in the Glen Derby area during the day and also on a path leading towards Mains of Glen Derby.

The area is a popular destination for a variety of outdoor pursuits including rambling, hill-walking, rock-climbing and mountain-biking.

It features the popular Cateran Trail walking route, which leads through Kirkmichael.