A major search and rescue was launched after the trio, all from Dumfries and aged in their 60s and 70s, failed to return from a walk in the Durisdeer area on Tuesday afternoon.
The wide scale search began at 7 pm that night but was stood down at 2 am, then resumed at first light yesterday.
A HM Coastguard helicopter was involved, as well as Moffat, Galloway and Tweed Valley Mountain Rescue teams, specialist search dogs and Dumfries and Galloway Police.
Bad weather, including driving rain and strong winds, had ‘hampered’ their search and locals were asked to check outbuildings in case the trio had taken refuge there.
The men were finally discovered in the Durisdeer area, east of the village, at around lunchtime yesterday after being missing for a full day.
They were airlifted to Dumfries and Galloway Royal Infirmary by helicopter.
But just after 4 pm a police spokesman confirmed one of the trio had been pronounced dead at the hospital.
The Procurator Fiscal had been informed.