Pilot whale stranding, Pittenweem

Very tired and emotional after being involved with the mass stranding of 26 pilot whales on the south coast of Fife at Pittenweem

I was laying the floor in the new bathroom at 1030. At 11, after a call from a fellow diver we were on our way down to Pittenweem with dry suits and blankets.

We had such a long time until the tide came back up and I spent the whole afternoon, in blazing hot sun ferrying buckets of water around, keeping the whales that were still alive, comfortable.

When the tide was up and we had 10 of them back in the water. Keeping them supported and regaining their strength. We were being warned that this could take a very long time, upto 5 hours or more.

The whale I was helping with was thrashing. It seemed more lively than the others...then it went, free! Miraculously this seemed to give all the other whales a massive spur on and they suddenly all went, formed a pod and moved off from the shore. A huge, emotional moment!

I have some more pictures here

EDIT: Monday morning news from the BDMLR.
Update as at 19.00hrs Sunday September 2nd 2012
All ten whales have now been reported as having left the harbour. The two that had turned back re-stranded but BDMLR volunteers were able to get them straight back into the water. One was in difficulty and listing to one side, but the whales from the main pod swam beside it, physically keeping it upright until it could right itself. Once it was balanced and able to swim without support, the pod all swam strongly out towards open water.
It is hoped that they will turn north soon to return to the deeper water but observers along the southern coast of the Forth are on alert if they are seen again.