{"id":797335,"date":"2026-03-01T17:35:21","date_gmt":"2026-03-01T17:35:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/797335\/"},"modified":"2026-03-01T17:35:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-01T17:35:21","slug":"dad-died-climbing-ben-nevis-on-scotland-hiking-holiday-as-tributes-paid-to-special-soul","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/797335\/","title":{"rendered":"Dad died climbing Ben Nevis on Scotland hiking holiday as tributes paid to &#8216;special soul&#8217;"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Ali Syed, also known as Alex, was remembered as having a &#8216;zest for life&#8217; and a &#8216;special soul&#8217;.<img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ali smiling while hiking in snow\" loading=\"eager\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_ali-syed.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Ali Syed, 58, sadly passed away while climbing Ben Nevis on February 19\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Ali Syed, 58, sadly passed away while climbing Ben Nevis on February 19(Image: Facebook)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A hiker who <a aria-label=\"died while climbing Ben NevisLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/scottish-news\/body-walker-found-highlands-mountain-36789283\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">died while climbing Ben Nevis<\/a> has been named as Ali Syed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The 58-year-old dad, also known as Alex to pals, passed away while trekking the mountain in the Highlands on Thursday, February 19.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It is understood he was on holiday in Scotland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The alarm was raised when Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team were called out to search for a group of three walkers on <a aria-label=\"An TeallachLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/search?q=highlands+dailur+ecord&amp;rlz=1C1GCEU_en&amp;oq=highlands+dailur+ecord&amp;gs_lcrp=EgZjaHJvbWUyBggAEEUYOTIHCAEQIRigATIHCAIQIRigATIHCAMQIRigATIHCAQQIRiPAjIHCAUQIRiPAjIHCAYQIRiPAtIBCDY5NTFqMGo0qAIAsAIA&amp;sourceid=chrome&amp;ie=UTF-8\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">An Teallach<\/a> after they requested help.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Rescuers spent hours combing the area before locating two members of the group. One of the walkers was taken to <a aria-label=\"hospitalLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/all-about\/hospitals\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">hospital<\/a> for medical treatment.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The team later confirmed a third walker had died. The dad-of-three&#8217;s body was recovered the next day with assistance from <a aria-label=\"RAF LossiemouthLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/scottish-news\/raf-police-mountain-rescue-team-36794296\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">RAF Lossiemouth<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ali smiling in black hiking gear with thumbs up\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_syed3.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Ali is survived by his three children\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Ali is survived by his three children(Image: Facebook)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Enquiries into the tragedy remain ongoing. One of Ali&#8217;s children shared the sad news with friends on social media.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The post read: &#8220;To all of Alex\u2019s friends. It is with deep sadness that I announce the passing of my father, Ali Syed, who tragically lost his life in an accident while climbing Ben Nevis in Scotland.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;He was 58 years of age when he passed and is survived by his three children &#8211; Yaaseen, Armaan and Sunnah&#8230; Please keep my dad and family in your thoughts and prayers.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Shocked friends within the walking community paid tribute to the dad, who was described as having a &#8220;zest for life&#8221;.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Friend Maria said: &#8220;I only met your dad once on a group hike in the <a aria-label=\"Peak DistrictLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/lifestyle\/uk-village-dubbed-most-eccentric-33588743\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">Peak District<\/a>. It was a big group but his light shone out and I remember speaking with him and having a few giggles. A special soul. My thoughts are with you all.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Ali smiling in snow\" loading=\"lazy\"  src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/0_syed.jpg\" \/><\/p>\n<p aria-label=\"Volunteers from Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team spent hours searching the slopes of An Teallach\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Volunteers from Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team spent hours searching the slopes of An Teallach(Image: Facebook)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Pal Rob added: &#8220;This is tragic. To have lost his life doing something he loved and usually shared with many members of local meet up groups. I&#8217;ll raise a glass with fellow members. I wish his surviving family good health.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A third friend Kerri said: &#8220;I\u2019m so sorry to hear of your tragic loss, I have very fond memories of you dad. He was such a lovely happy friendly guy, so kind and supportive. His smile, energy and zest for life will always be his finest quality.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team also expressed their sadness at events, writing: &#8220;On the 19th of February the team deployed to An Teallach to search for three walkers who\u2019d called for assistance.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;After many hours of searching the team located two of the walkers, one requiring hospital treatment. Sadly with the assistance of RAF Lossiemouth, the body of their companion was recovered the next day.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Our thoughts and prayers are with their <a aria-label=\"family Link opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.dailyrecord.co.uk\/news\/scottish-news\/family-hillwalker-missing-three-years-36796916\" rel=\"follow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">family <\/a>and friends at this sad time.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">A Police Scotland spokesperson said: \u201cAround 5.45pm on Thursday, 19 February, 2026, officers received a report of concern for three people on Sgurr Fiona near Dundonnell.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cEmergency services attended and two people were traced. One of the two traced were taken to hospital. The body of the third person, a 58-year-old man, was later recovered. His family are aware.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cEnquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Get more Daily Record exclusives by signing up for free to Google\u2019s preferred sources. Click <a aria-label=\"HERELink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/preferences\/source?q=dailyrecord.co.uk\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\">HERE<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Ali Syed, also known as Alex, was remembered as having a &#8216;zest for life&#8217; and a &#8216;special soul&#8217;.&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":797336,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[5009],"tags":[152673,748,4884,529,530,712,16,15,19834],"class_list":{"0":"post-797335","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-scotland","8":"tag-ben-nevis","9":"tag-britain","10":"tag-great-britain","11":"tag-police","12":"tag-police-scotland","13":"tag-scotland","14":"tag-uk","15":"tag-united-kingdom","16":"tag-walking-and-climbing"},"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"https:\/\/pubeurope.com\/@uk\/116155130069891417","error":""},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/797335","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=797335"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/797335\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/797336"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=797335"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=797335"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=797335"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}