Dog sparks major rescue mission after falling in Scots Outlander gorge

Daily Record

21-07-2025

The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service, Lomond Mountain Rescue Team and Police Scotland all rushed to Finnich Glen, near Killearn, Stirling, after a dog fell in to the gorge on Monday morning.
A dog fell in to a glen at a beauty spot featured in hit TV series Outlander.
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The dog fell in to the Devil's Pulpit, also known as Finnich Glen, near Killearn, Stirling, on Monday morning.
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It's understood the two-year-old female pet skidded on some mud and slid down in to the glen.
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Fortunately, a Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) team were conducting a training exercise nearby and quickly sprung into action.
A Scottish Fire and Rescue Service spokesperson said: "We were alerted at 11.32am on Monday, 21 July, to reports of a dog stuck in the Devil's Pulpit, Killearn.
'Operations Control mobilised two appliances and specialist resources to the scene to support our emergency service partners.
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"The dog was safely rescued from the glen.
"Crews then left the scene at 1.27pm after ensuring the area was safe."
Police Scotland were also called to the scene. A spokesperson said: 'Around 11.20am on Monday, 21 July, 2025, officers received a report of a dog having fallen at Finnich Glen.
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'The dog was safely recovered.'
Lomond Mountain Rescue Team (Lomond MRT) were also called out, dispatching seven of their volunteer team members to the scene.
David Dodson, of Lomond MRT, said: 'She was cold and looked a bit shocked about it all, but was otherwise well.'
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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.
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.
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'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, 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.
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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.