MEMBERS of British Divers Marine Life Rescue freed the whale, which had been caught in gear in Loch Eriboll, near Durness, on Saturday.A HUMPBACK whale was saved by rescuers after getting entangled in fishing ropes in a remote Sutherland loch.

Members of British Divers Marine Life Rescue freed the whale, which had been caught in gear in Loch Eriboll, near Durness, on Saturday.

Rescuers came from all over Scotland to help save the mammal, which was first reported trapped on Friday.

“The whale was in a loch so it was relatively calm, but it still took several hours to free. It had become trapped in creel pots,” said Stephen Marsh of the rescue group.The whale remained underwater while the rescuers picked away at the cords that were trapping it.

It was believed to be in good health by the time it was heading for the open sea.