Sensational aerial footage of the Mearns coastline around ‘Dracula’s castle’ is being used in an attempt to bring new blood to a vital emergency service.
Dramatic Dunnottar Castle was captured by American videographer Mark Westguard during a visit to the spectacular clifftop landmark which coincided with an Angus and Mearns Coastguard training exercise.
This weekend will see a local Doors Open Day and the stunning You Tube film is being used as a recruitment aid in a bid to encourage more volunteers to consider taking on the life-saving role.
The clip shows Dunnottar the setting for parts of the 1990 Mel Gibson movie Hamlet and reputedly the inspiration for Bram Stoker’s Dracula in all its glory as coastguard volunteers undertake a rope training mission.
The service was thrilled with the footage which Mr Westguard was happy for them to use in a bid to generate more volunteers and it the clip has proved a hit since being revealed on the service’s facebook page.
Coastguard teams in Arbroath, Carnoustie, Montrose and Stonehaven teams have responded to almost 200 ‘shouts’ in the last year, dealing with incidents ranging from capsized boats and cliff fallers to missing anglers and people cut off by the tide.
Coastguard area commander Ross Greenhill said: “Coastal communities are privileged to have these rescue teams, which form an integral part of society.
“They respond to callouts in all weathers and often at unsocial hours to assist people in distress.
“Rescue officers are trained in first aid and a variety of rescue techniques, from water, mud, rope and cliff rescues, to search methods and assisting with helicopter operations.
“If you’d like to join, we’ll ensure you have regular training, and all we ask in return is that you are situated within 20 minutes of the coastguard station, and are available to respond at most times.”
As part of their recruitment drive HM Coastguard are having a Doors Open Day across the area.
The Door Open event will take see the Arbroath team attend Saturday’s Sea Fest in the town and on Sunday the Carnoustie Coastguard station in Admiral Street will welcome vistors from
Mr Greenhill added: “This is not only for potential volunteers to meet the teams, see the equipment and get a first-hand appreciation for what it is like to be a Coastguard Rescuer Officer, but also for the family to pop past and let the kids find out about water safety, dangers of coastline and what to do in an emergency.”