VIDEO: Inverness Coastguard helicopter comes to the rescue of missing dog trapped on a ledge in the Cairngorms

Inverness Coastguard’s helicopter crew have rescued a dog trapped on a 200ft ledge in the Cairngorms.

While out on a training mission today, the team spotted the animal perched precariously on a narrow stretch of rock with a huge vertical drop below.

The dog, called Ben, had been missing for 48 hours in the terrible weather conditions of Storm Gareth.

The coastguard crew had been out bolstering their search and rescue skills, dropping two winchmen off at a nearby bothy to undertake essential medical training in the snow.

The helicopter then headed off to simulate a refuel and, circling 1000ft above Loch Avon, the crew spotted the dog.

The weather cleared and, with the winchmen back aboard, the team returned to come to the aid of the stranded dog.

© Maritime & Coastguard Agency / Twitter

A terrified and cold Ben was flown to nearby Glenmore Lodge before being rushed to Strathspey Vets.

The dog is understood to be doing well and has been reunited with its owner.

A blog post on the Coastguard website, sharing footage from the mission, read: “Today whilst out on essential training, our Inverness Coastguard helicopter crew were presented with an ideal opportunity to test their winter flying skills.

“A little dog, who had been missing for 48 hours in the terrible weather conditions of Storm Gareth, was spotted on a narrow ledge with a 200ft vertical drop below by the Coastguard helicopter crew.

“The Inverness helicopter crew – Captain Simon Hammock, Co-pilot Roger Sherriff, Winch Operator Rob Glendinning and Winchman Mark Stevens, were undertaking some essential winter training with another Winchman Kate Willoughby visiting from Humberside Coastguard helicopter base at Stag Rocks in the Cairngorms.”