Dog rescued after castle plunge

Sweetie the dog fell at the cliffs at Dunnottar Castle

A pet dog has been rescued after falling about 60ft down cliffs at an Aberdeenshire beauty spot.

The Border Collie, called Sweetie, slipped while out with its owners at Dunnottar Castle near Stonehaven.

A rescue operation involving coastguards, fire and lifeboat crews and the Scottish SPCA saw it being winched to safety on a stretcher.

The dog was thought to have suffered a broken leg and was taken to a vet for treatment.

Scottish SPCA inspector John Carle described Wednesday's incident as a dramatic rescue.

He told BBC Scotland: "Coastguards abseiled down and got the dog onto a stretcher.

"The dog was OK and was taken to the vet.

"The owners were a bit embarrassed but very grateful that folk came out to rescue their dog."