Scotland: Local crofter's sheepdog rescued from gorge after being missing for 12 days

A sheepdog belonging to a local crofter that went missing 12 days ago has been rescued from a gorge. Nel the collie is an older dog and retired from working. She was spotted by someone passing on a train on the nearby West Highland Line. Members of Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team used ropes to get down into Monessie Gorge, at Roybridge near Fort William, where the the cold and hungry dog was stuck. Nel was returned to the crofter who was delighted to have his dog safely returned.

Based in Fort William, Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team (LMRT) is staffed entirely by unpaid volunteers. They attend rescues day or night, 365 days of the year and in all weather conditions. LMRT attend incidents that are remote from the road side and/or where the normal emergency services are unable to operate. These rescues vary from climbers stuck on the sheer North Face of Ben Nevis, Scotland's highest mountain (1344m/4409ft), to canoeists stuck in inaccessible gorges. They generally cover the area of Lochaber district which takes in the small isles of the Inner Hebrides such as Rum, Muck and Canna out to the West to Knoydart. More information on the great work undertaken by the team can be seen on the LMRT website.