Sheepdog Nell was rescued after 12 days in the gorge. Photo: Lochaber MRT

A sheepdog was rescued from a Lochaber gorge after going missing for 12 days.

Nell, a 12-year-old collie, was spotted by a member of public near the bottom of the Monessie Gorge, east of Roybridge, on Thursday evening.

The dog, which belongs to a local crofter was trapped in the gorge. Lochaber Mountain Rescue Team members went to the site and abseiled down into the ravine to reach the animal.

A team spokesperson said: “She was a bit timid but after a wee bit of smooth talking and a dog biscuit she was coaxed out of her lair by [team member] Callum and put in a harness and brought up the crag.

“Apart for being a wee bit smelly, sorry for herself and hungry, she does not seem to be any worse for her experience.”

The team said it had been much busier recently with the late arrival of winter conditions, with three callouts in the past three days. On Wednesday, team members had to climb a deer fence and wade through waist-deep heather to reach two people lost on Meall an t-Suidhe, the 711m (2,333ft) outlier in the Ben Nevis range. On Tuesday, a hypothermic man was rescued from the summit of Ben Nevis after spending the night on the mountain.

The spokesperson said: “With Easter just round the corner, make sure you all stay safe and enjoy our mountains which look stunning at the moment. Lots of deep snow.”