The organisers of a Highland Games are trying to work out the story behind a mystery photograph of a helicopter apparently being jump started – by a car.
In the image, a small helicopter can be seen on a main road outside a house, and has a car parked alongside it with its bonnet open and jump leads.
The image is believed to have been taken in the 1960s or 1970s in the rural village of Bellabeg, Aberdeenshire.
It was discovered amongst old slides by the organisers of the Lonach Highland Gathering and Games.
The old photographs were due to be displayed as part of an event to mark the 175th anniversary of the games earlier this year.
But this unusual image has captured the imagination of the organisers and they are now appealing for more information.
One slide shows the 1966 Bell 47G-5 helicopter apparently being jumpstarted by what is believed to be a Rover 2000 P6 Series 1 car.
In a second slide, the car is gone and the helicopter looks set for take-off.
Jennifer Stewart, secretary and chief executive of the Lonach Highland and Friendly Society, said: “We had a great response to our appeal for old pictures, which turned up some fantastic images.
“Some were more curious than others and left us scratching our heads and asking a number of questions.
“The visitor response to the display at this year’s gathering provided information about some of those pictures.
“The picture in question was in a box of slides marked Strathdon and Lonach that was donated to us.
“The person who took the slides died a few years ago and their family had never seen the slides before so couldn’t shed any light on the image. It had us stumped.
“Did a car really jump start a helicopter on the main road in Bellabeg? It’s all very peculiar, but there must be an intriguing story behind it.
“These types of unusual events plan an important part in the history of our local communities.
“Why did a helicopter apparently land on the main road in Bellabeg? Was it really jump started by a car?
“Does anyone remember it happening, if so when was it? Somebody is bound to be able to fill in the details, and it would be great to hear from them.”
