Passengers rescued from loch boat

The passengers were rescued by Lochinver lifeboat

Coastguards and a lifeboat crew have rescued 12 passengers from a charter boat after it ran aground on Loch Beag.

The incident took place at Glencoul, near Kylesku, north of Lochinver. The alarm was raised at about 0200 BST on Thursday.

Two crew members stayed on board to try and refloat the 90ft Popular Voyager.

The 12 passengers were taken ashore by Lochinver lifeboat and were put up in a local hotel. Attempts will be made to refloat the boat later.

Stornoway Coastguard watch manager Angus Murray said: "The skipper acted promptly and evacuation from the vessel was undertaken in an orderly and professional manner by all units concerned.

"All passengers are fortunately reported to be safe and well with no injuries."

Meanwhile, the Tobermory lifeboat was called to a cruise ship which had drifted onto rocks at Calve Island at 0500 BST.

It is thought about 300 passengers were on board the Bahamas-registered Island Sky. The lifeboat towed the vessel back to sea.