A group of rescuers helped a pair of Risso's dolphins back to safety after they were founded stranded at Balnakeil last week.

Members of the public discovered the stranded marine animals at the Durness beach on Sunday, August 21. Upon the advice of the British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) team, those in attendance were able to carry out a successful rescue.

Local resident Sam Smith was one of the first on the site of the stranding.

She said: "All relevant agencies were on scene at various points. The dolphins were put in shallow water quickly to keep cool and they were not refloated till well after. Both were perfectly healthy specimens evidenced by a successful conclusion.

"They were seen swimming out to sea by a member of public who was round the coast a little further and there were zero sightings of any restranding."

Members of the public are encouraged to report stranded marine animals in distress by calling the British Divers Marine Life Rescue hotline on 01825 765546 (option 1).

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