Atholl Estates has handed over a cheque for £3,892.62 to Tayside Mountain Rescue Team, which is its chosen Charity of the Year for 2025.
Tayside Mountain Rescue held a charity day at Blair Castle when they demonstrated their specialist equipment including a drone used in the rescue of stranded walkers and climbers. The team’s new rescue puppy, Scoop, was also present as the team members answered the public’s questions, along with their mascot, Hamish.
The Castle donated admission fees taken on 6 September, to the Mountain Rescue, together with £200 which was raised through a staff raffle that the Estate held in July. Local businesses including Pitlochry Festival Theatre, Riders of the Storm, House of Bruar, and The Atholl Beauty Room, donated prizes for the event.
The funds raised will support the charity which operates 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, relying entirely on donations to procure the tools and equipment necessary to rescue people and animals from the local mountains and hills. Showing true dedication the volunteers who form the team take part in life saving rescues.
Bertie Troughton, Resident Trustee at Blair Castle, said: “Atholl Estates is proud to support this organisation that plays such a crucial role in keeping people safe on our local hills, mountains and Munros.
“We’re delighted that our Charity Day and Summer Raffle raised a good amount for this worthy charity.
“Visitors would certainly not be able to take to the hills with such confidence, if the mountain rescue team was not available to come to their aid, should the very worst happen.
“It’s been really fascinating to see Tayside Mountain Rescue’s specialist equipment, and hear more about what they do. Everybody enjoyed meeting Hamish and Scoop, the rescue puppy now being trained to assist the team in its efforts. Our thanks once again go to these dedicated volunteers.”
