Man rescued from Scots Outlander beauty spot after becoming stranded in gorge

Daily Record

5 days ago

Rescue crews raced to the man's aid at the Devil's Pulpit, near Killearn, Stirling, where he was pulled to safety.
A man had to be rescued from a Scots beauty spot, made famous after being featured in Outlander, at the weekend.
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Rescue crews raced to the Devil's Pulpit, in Finnich Glen, near Killearn, Stirling, on Saturday afternoon following reports of concerns for a person trapped in the gorge there.
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Volunteers from Lomond Mountain Rescue team (Lomond MRT) were called to the scene shortly after 3.30pm to assist with the rescue.
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The team rigged a system to lower one of their members into the gorge to the stranded man. The man was then placed in to a rescue harness before being hoisted back to safety.
A spokesperson from Lomond MRT said: 'With no injuries, the team rigged a system to lower a team member to the casualty where they were placed in a rescue harness before being brought back to the top of the gorge.
'Many thanks to colleagues from Police Scotland Forth Valley, Scottish Ambulance Service and Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.'
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Police Scotland have been contacted.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "Operations Control mobilised two appliances and a number of specialist resources to the scene.
'Crews brought the casualty to safety before being handed into the care of the Scottish Ambulance Service for precautionary checks.
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"Firefighters left the scene at 4.57pm after ensuring the area was safe."
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It comes just weeks after a dog had to be rescued after falling in to the glen there.
The two-year-old female Vizsla skidded on some mud and slid down in to the glen on the morning of Monday, July 21.
Fortunately, a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) team were conducting a training exercise nearby and quickly sprung into action.
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A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: 'Operations Control mobilised two appliances and specialist resources to the scene to support our emergency service partners.
'The dog was safely rescued from the glen.'
On that occasion, Lomond MRT dispatched seven of their volunteer team members to the scene to assist the rescue.
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David Dodson, of Lomond MRT, said: 'She was cold and looked a bit shocked about it all, but was otherwise well.'
It's not the first time a dog has sparked a major rescue operation at the spot. In December last year, we told how a dog had a miraculous escape after plunging 100-feet into the gorge.
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Lomond MRT were called out after the pet dog, named Margot, suffered the fall. 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!'
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Margot's relieved owner 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 as it has continued to grown in popularity after it was featured in Outlander.
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The glen, renowned for its deep, red sandstone gorge, was used as the fictional St Ninian's Spring – also referred to as Liar's Spring – in the hit series.
Due to the spike in its popularity, the location has seen an influx of visitors and, as a result, has seen the number of rescues there skyrocket.
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.
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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.