Horses and riders rescued by coastguard teams after becoming stranded on sandbank in Highlands
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
Two horses and riders had to be guided to safety by coastguard rescue teams after becoming stranded on a sand and shingle bank near Nairn.
The incident happened at the Old Bar to the east of the town at midday yesterday. There were reports of a person in the water nearby.
Nairn and Burghead coastguard rescue teams and the Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation boat from Findhorn were immediately sent to the scene following a 999 call.
HM Coastguard said on social media: "Following an assessment on scene, two coastguard officers were deployed by the rescue boat to guide the riders and horses off the Old Bar, using extensive local knowledge to guide them to safety further into Culbin Forest - a journey that took around 1.5 hours on foot.
"Thankfully the horses and riders were both safe and well and they did the right thing by staying where they were when the tide came in."
It reminded people enjoying the coastline to make sure they know the tide times and to always keep an eye on the situation around them.
It also said people should never attempt to cross the water back to land but stay they were and raise the alarm.
"As lockdown continues to ease, more and more people are out and enjoying our coastal areas and we have been busy recently," it continued.
"In a coastal emergency, dial 999 and ask for the Coastguard."
