Rise in 999 rescue call outs at Outlander beauty spot
● Safety warning after glen features in TV and films
0 The stunning natural feature of Finnich Glen has been popularised in film and television, including Outlander A safety warning has been issued following a rise in emergency rescues at the Devil’s Pulpit beauty spot following its appearance in Outlander and other shows.
A “marked increased” in visitors to the deep gorge at Finnich Glen has led to a “significant rise” in emergency call outs, a spokesman from Lomond Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) said.
The rise follows the appearance of the stunning natural
ABERDEEN AND DUNDEE
feature, near Killearn, in film and television, as well as print and online media, he added.
The gorge, said to have been a meeting place for druids, featured in season one of Outlander as well as Roman-era film The Eagle.
Recently, it was filmed for BBC Scotland’s The Social when wildlife presenter Andrew O’donnell floated through the water on an inflatable kayak wearing a red loincloth to mimic Mowgli from The Jungle Book.
A spokesman for Lomond MRT said: “During recent weeks Lomond MRT has seen a significant rise in call outs to the stunning natural feature of Finnich Glen and the Devil’s Pulpit.
“The marked increase in visitor numbers has followed the gorge featuring in several recent appearances on film and television, in print and online.
“A visit to the glen can be a memorable experience but we would like to bring to the publics attention several safety concerns and potential hazards.”
The spokesman said that visitors wanting to travel the full length of the gorge, which drops nearly 70ft into the river, required skills in swimming in canyoning. No mobile phone reception exists at the site.
He added: “There are very few points where it is safe, or indeed possible, to climb out.
“Despite it officially being the summer, the water is cool and its level rapidly rises after heavy rain.
“Consequently hypothermia is a real concern if you are not suitably clothed.”
Lomond MRT has attended four emergency call outs to Finnich Glen since May, with those trapped extracted from the gorge using ropes.
The Devil’s Pulpit starred in Outlander when Dougal Mackenzie used the “truth-inducing waters” to make sure he trusted lead character Claire Randall.
Clava Cairns near Inverness, the Bronze Age burial site said to have inspired the show, has also experience a surge in visitors with reports of seances, vandalism and graffiti.