November 5th 2023.
Five men recently rescued Fiona, Britain's loneliest sheep, from being stranded at the foot of a remote cliff in the Scottish Highlands for two years. After a major operation, the Scottish SPCA checked over Fiona and found her to be in incredible fettle.
The rescue mission was organised by Cammy Wilson, a sheep shearer from Ayrshire, after seeing media coverage of Fiona's plight. This story will be broadcast on BBC's Landward programme on November 16. There was even a petition with more than 55,000 signatures calling for Fiona's rescue.
Jill Turner, from Brora in Sutherland, was the one who first spotted the ewe at Cromarty Firth two years ago during a kayak trip. She said that Fiona saw them coming and was calling to them along the length of the beach following their progress until she could go no further. She was delighted to hear that Fiona had been rescued.
The Scottish SPCA attended to ensure the welfare of the animal, but did not participate in the actual rescue. The team brought Fiona up successfully and she is now going to be looked after by Dalscone Farm, in Dumfries. She will be sheared of her heavy coat and have five months to acclimatise and get to know other animals before the farm opens to the public.
Unfortunately, a group of animal rights campaigners have claimed that the five men had highjacked the rescue from them. They had spent days training for a rescue mission and even descended the steep cliff to build a relationship with Fiona. They had intended to take Fiona to Tribe Animal Sanctuary near Glasgow, but their plans were foiled.
The team emphasised the fact that the team were experienced climbers with specialist equipment and urged the public not to attempt a similar rescue that may endanger themselves or an animal. Thankfully Fiona is safe and well, ready to start her new life.
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