Stranded Brough visitors waiting for low tide

The emergency services are waiting for low tide to allow two stranded visitors to get off the Brough of Birsay.

One of the two contacted Coastguard just after 9.20am after it became clear they were stuck on the tidal island.

Coastguard teams and the Stromness lifeboat made their way to the scene, where it was decided that the conditions were too dangerous for the small Y boat to bring the two people – who were in no immediate danger – back to the Mainland.

Instead, two lifeboat crew went through breaking surf over rocks in the Y boat to the shore and spoke with the people who were happy to remain on the Brough and wait for low water. The crew left food and water with them and returned in the Y boat to the lifeboat.
The lifeboat returned to Stromness Harbour at 12.10pm.