The group were rescued from Ben Venue in the Trossachs

The group got into difficulty on Wednesday evening on Ben Venue, in the Trossachs, after one of them suffered a stroke and another fell.

Two mountain rescue teams and a Royal Navy helicopter were mobilised after members of the party contacted emergency services with mobile phones.

Both casualties are now recovering in hospital.

The party, organised by the Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society, had been due to complete an 8.5-mile trek.

They hit problems after taking a ferry across Loch Katrine to the southern side of the loch.

At about 1730 BST, an 82-year-old man became unwell, which resulted in the Lomond Mountain Rescue Team being mobilised.

'Difficult route'

A short time later, a 58-year-old woman, who was trying to descend the peak, slipped and struck her head and chest.

Following the incident, the Killin Mountain Rescue Team were alerted and made their way to the area.

A Royal Navy helicopter from HMS Gannet was then mobilised to rescue the 82-year-old man, who had suffered a stroke.

David Dodson from the Lomond Rescue Team said the group were experienced and well-equipped but were undertaking a difficult route.

There were two unfortunate, unconnected incidents on the ScotWays walk yesterday, and the mountain rescue team had to be called out to both incidents ScotWays

He said: "The route back from the hill is notoriously difficult without a well defined path. Unless you know the area, it's quite tricky.

"My understanding is that the group leader and other members were not familiar with the terrain."

The Scottish Rights of Way and Access Society described the incidents as unfortunate.

In a statement, the group said: "There were two unfortunate, unconnected incidents on the ScotWays walk yesterday, and the mountain rescue team had to be called out to both incidents.

"In the first, one of our members had a minor stroke. One of the leaders stayed with him, together with several others in the party, and the other leader continued with the rest of the party.

"Unfortunately, she had a fall towards the end of the walk and also had to be taken to hospital.