Courier Country firefighters at the heart of a Nepal earthquake disaster mission have been joined by a hero Scots canine on their first international emergency deployment.
Steven Nicoll and Danny Gall, both from Kirriemuir, and John Aitchison, of Gourdon, are part of an elite team of 67 Britons including seven Scots specially trained to deal with humanitarian disasters.
They remain in the country, having flown out in the immediate aftermath of the natural disaster.
Alongside the men is Gary Carroll from Torphins, Aberdeenshire, and his rescue dog Diesel, a five-year-old springer spaniel.
Gary said: “On the ground we’ve seen total destruction in some of the outlying areas of Nepal most buildings are affected in some way.
“It’s great … working with a dog. It is very rewarding and they can make a difference to our work. For example, the dogs can help identify casualties, which is an extra tool for the team.
Mr Nicoll’s father, Bill, said his son and Danny Gall are long-serving firefighters who work as trainers and only recently joined up for the special service. “It’s the first time they have gone out to an international crisis like this but they are prepared for the worst,” he said.