The bright lights of Dundee may be an attraction to many but they were clearly not prominent enough for three female hillwalkers who became lost on one of the most dominant landmarks in the area.
The women lost their bearings on Craigowl Hill, the highest peak in the Sidlaws at 455 metres with commanding views of Dundee to the south.
The hill is listed on hillwalking guides as being easily distinguishable because it is crowned by telecommunications masts and that it also offers a fine viewpoint for many parts of Angus. It also has a tarred road running all the way to the top.
The trio had set off on Monday from Balkello Wood car park in fine weather, but their plans for a bracing summer hike came unstuck when they lost their bearings.
The more they searched the more confused they became, and as darkness fell they realised they might be stuck on Craigowl overnight.
In desperation one of the ladies used her mobile phone to contact police. An officer who knew the hill asked them what they could see in the fading light and worked out their location.
Officers in three police vehicles were sent to the scene and switched on their blue flashing lights to provide navigation points.
The women followed the lights and the advice of the officer on the phone and were able to make their way safely down the hill and back to the car park by about 11pm.
A police spokeswoman said: ”The three women did not report any injuries and no other agencies were involved. They were just lost and needed help, which we provided.”
The intrepid trio did not leave their details and headed home after assuring the police they had come to no harm and that only their pride had been bruised.
Heather Morning, of the Mountaineering Council of Scotland, said: ”We hear of these things all the time. Craigowl sounds like a straightforward hill to navigate, and if these ladies became disorientated they did the correct thing by phoning for help instead of staying on the hill and maybe becoming more lost and having to spend the night up there.
”Our message to anyone going out into the countryside like this is to be properly equipped, take a map and compass and know how to use it.”lf you were one of the people at the centre of the drama, tell us about your ordeal by calling Dundee 575321 or email news@thecourier.co.uk