Vital equipment belonging to a Highland mountain rescue team has been stolen in a break-in at the volunteer group’s base.
Police are probing the theft at Dundonnell Mountain Rescue Team’s centre and have appealed for any information to catch the callous culprits.
It is believed the burglary took place on Tuesday night or early Wednesday morning.
A team radio, rescue flares and computer were among items stolen from its base in Dundonnell, Wester Ross.
The alarm was raised by an occupant of a neighbouring property.
“The team were greatly saddened to discover this week that our base in Dundonnell has been broken into and a number of items stolen,” said a spokesman.
“We would like to thank our local neighbour for raising the alarm and for the swift response of the local police officers.”
Donald MacRae, leader of Dundonnell MRT added: “Any break-in is disappointing, however, breaking in and stealing rescue equipment is very sad.
“The time line of this event was narrowed as we were involved in a rescue on Tuesday evening and were in the base then. The following day, our neighbour noticed our roller door was open.”
The neighbouring premises, the Joint Services Hut, was also broken into at the same time and the team said it was also are aware of similar breaks in the local area.
The Dundonnell group cover a massive area of the north Highlands, including some 40 Munros, taking in An Teallach, Glen Affric, Beinn Dearg, Ben Wyvis and the area known as the Great Wilderness around Fisherfield.
The team has rescue posts at Dundonnell, Ullapool and Gairloch with vehicles.
A new headquarters at Dingwall Business Park was completed in March after the team of volunteers raised £185,000 to fund the new base which, for the first time in the team’s eastern area, provides a secure garage for vehicles, a training room and stores.
