A beloved pet dog had a miraculous escape after plunging 100-feet into a gorge at a popular Scots beauty spot made famous by the TV series Outlander, sparking a major rescue mission.
Volunteer members of Lomond Mountain Rescue Team (Lomond MRT) were called to the Devil’s Pulpit area of Finnich Glen, near Killearn, west Stirlingshire, on Sunday morning.
The team received the callout shortly after 11.30am by the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service after the pet dog, named Margot, fell around 100-feet into the gorge.
A spokesperson for Lomond MRT said: “Once on scene, a rescue plan was agreed and a rigging system was quickly and efficiently organised to lower a team member down to the dog.
“The dog; Margot, was very cooperative with its rescuer, and was soon hauled back up onto the bank, where it was reunited with its owner and taken to be checked over by a vet.
“Amazingly, little Margot has only some bumps and scrapes to show for her adventures!”
Lomond MRT supporters and Margo's relieved family thanked the rescue volunteers for their efforts.
Clare Denton posted: "Thank you so much for rescuing our Margot!! You really are all amazing and we will forever be grateful to you!"
Nick Denton posted: "Thank you for rescuing our Margie. From Granny and Grandpa."
A number of rescue missions have been sparked within the Devil’s Pulpit in recent years, with fire and rescue, police and mountain rescue teams being drafted in to help free people trapped within the glen after its popularity soared when it featured in Outlander as The Liar's Spring.
In April 2021, a man was rushed to hospital with serious injuries after plunging 100-feet into the gorge.
The 24-year-old from the Dundee area was understood to have fallen when he attempted to snap a photograph of the glen and was treated for spinal and chest injuries.
And in July 2020, a couple from Fife had to be rescued after getting stuck while taking part in 'canyoning' - a craze which can be carried out across a variety of terrain and involves scrambling, climbing, jumping, abseiling, and swimming - through the Carnock Burn which runs through the glen.
They became stuck and unable to make their way out of the glen and became stranded for several hours before being rescued.
In June 2017, a 55-year-old man fell 50 feet into the glen and had to be rescued and just months later, rescue teams were called to the location again when two swimmers – clad only in swimsuits – were pulled to safety after being trapped for three hours.
Click here for more news and sport from the Stirling area.
