A marine mammal group is appealing for new volunteers to help with the rescue of stranded whales, dolphins and seals.
A whale rescue medic course is being held in Stornoway on Saturday in conjunction with the search for more personnel.
The recent mass pilot whale stranding in Skye has heightened the need to strengthen the local team.
Sandy MacDonald, area coordinator of BDMLR Outer Hebrides, said: "We are badly in need of more volunteers in the Outer Hebrides as most of those who were previously trained in the islands have now moved away."
She explained: "It is only a matter of time before we find ourselves in a similar situation as those in Skye.
"Twice in the past five years we have come very close to it when large pods of pilot whales accompanied a sick member of their pod into shallow water in South Uist.
"Historically we have had many mass strandings around the islands, some involving over one hundred animals and it is entirely possible it could happen again soon."
Ms Macdonald added: "It is not just the risk of pilot whales mass stranding though.
"Every year, other whales and dolphins regularly strand on our shores, some on their
own and others in similar mass strandings events to pilot whales."
BDMLR also have
a large whale disentanglment team based in the north of Scotland for rescuing whales
that have become entangled in fishing gear, nets and ropes.
They also help sick, injured
and abandoned seal pups and other marine animals, including marine turtles and basking
sharks.
More info about the course is provided at www.bdmlr.org.uk
Saturday's training day costs £90 and takes place by the Coastguard Station in Stornoway.
Whale rescue team appeal for new volunteers
5 July 2015