A selection of emergency services turned out in force at Scrabster for the annual Thurso RNLI open day event on Sunday from noon until 4pm.

The sun shone more strongly as the afternoon progressed and visitors travelled from far-and-wide to be at the event including a Chinese student studying in Glasgow.

"I just saw something online yesterday and was passing by after visiting Thurso. It's a lovely place," he said.

The open day gave visitors a chance to look around the lifeboat station, talk to the crew and go on board The Taylors, and also meet and greet members from other emergency services.

Lifeboat stalwart William "Wing" Munro said he had been busy organising and setting up the stands and marquees from around 7am at Scrabster harbour.

"We've got fire engines here beside us. Further up is the ambulance. There's the mountain rescue team, coastguards and big Mick with his ice cream van!" At last year's open day, Wing was honoured for more than 50 years of commitment to the RNLI.

"The weather was a bit iffy this morning but it's brightening up now. It's nice listening to that Highland dance music." Though he retired as full-time coxswain six years ago, Wing says he's still involved in the launching of the lifeboat as a DLA (Deputy Launch Authority).

Thurso and Northwest Caithness councillor Ron Gunn is spokesperson for the Thurso lifeboat and said: "Thurso RNLI would like to thank all the members of the public who came along to the open day.

"Lots of folk had a tour of the lifeboat and our recently refurbished building. The RNLI souvenir shop was well attended and sold Thurso Lifeboat specific items to visitors, the BBQ manned by crew members was sold out, the fundraising committee ran the raffle and the very popular baking stand.

"We would also like to thank Mina Mackay's dancers, Scottish Fire and Rescue, HM Coastguard, Assynt Mountain Rescue, Scottish Ambulance Service and RNLI Longhope Lifeboat whose contribution helped make the day such a success."

Mairi Vines, is a rescue officer with the coastguard, and said: "We're supporting the lifeboat and just showing the community a little about what we do and hopefully keeping the kids entertained with some activities." Mairi said she was recently involved in the incident at Castlehill harbour last week in which it was reported that a small boat had failed to return. "The lifeboat did a scan of the harbour and found him. He was doing a bit of night fishing. It's always better to call in and let people know what you're doing."

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Andrew MacDonald, Assynt Mountain Rescue deputy team leader for the east coast, showed some of the equipment that members use during call-outs. Included was a specialist thermal imaging drone used to find climbers lost in the wilds. Molly the collie also aided in mountain rescue missions and has recently retired said her handler Charlie MacLeod from Ulbster. "She has found someone four metres deep," said Charlie.

Mina Mackay's Highland dancers put on a colourful display throughout the event. Mina is 85 and said she has been involved in Highland dancing for over 60 years. "I'm still dancing and have never stopped," said Mina who is aided in her dancing school by Aileen Simonite.

Ian Walker is on the lifeboat fundraising committee for Thurso's lifeboat The Taylors and said the day had gone well. "I do the easy bit and just try and get money from people for the lifeboat," he joked. "It's principally about getting people to see the boat and engage with the crew. It's been a good day and people seem to be really enjoying themselves."

Thurso lifeboat coxswain Gordon Munro agreed with Ian and added: "Just to let you know, we had 100 burgers and we've sold out of them already!"

Totals raised at the event include – tea and coffee £66.95; home baking and raffle £373.50; BBQ £397; shop £457.96 and donations £73.18. Grand total for the day was £1368.59.

The lifeboat crew all said that at a moment's notice they could be called out, even at the open day event, and go to the aid of someone in distress. It's all in a day's work for Thurso's hard-working lifeboat crew members.

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