New Base in Thurso Enhances Mountain Rescue Team’s Capabilities

The Assynt Mountain Rescue Team (MRT) has secured a new operational base in Thurso, significantly enhancing its capacity to respond to emergencies. Located at the Ormlie Industrial Estate, this facility will house the team’s 4×4 Sprinter ambulance and serve as a centre for training, storage, and meetings. Team leader Ben Dyson described the move as a major advantage for the rescue crew, stating, “It’s a real boon for us, as they say!”

This new base spans a considerable area, which will facilitate better preparation and response times across the vast region the team covers. Assynt MRT operates in Caithness and Sutherland, an area of approximately 7,500 square kilometres, which is nearly half the size of Northern Ireland. The region includes the northern hills of Ben Hope, Ben Klibreck, and Foinaven, along with the Assynt peaks. Previously, the team’s vehicle was stored in the police station car park, which posed challenges due to corrosion from coastal conditions.

Dyson elaborated on the strategic advantages of the new location, emphasizing its proximity to other emergency services. “We’ve got the new base in Thurso – we’ve always had a vehicle there but it used to be kept in the police station car park,” he explained. “The opportunity came up to purchase this place, so we jumped on it.”

Funding for the new base was acquired through various channels, including legacy donations and support from multiple wind farm community funds, such as the ABH Funds, RWE Bad a Cheo Wind Farm Community Fund, and the SSE Renewables Strathy North Community Fund. Dyson mentioned that these contributions significantly aided in facilitating the purchase.

The team plans to equip the new facility with essential amenities for training and meetings, addressing previous limitations, particularly in equipment drying space. Dyson noted, “We intend to kit it out with some fairly basic amenities and we will be using it for training and meeting.”

With a record of increasing callouts over the past few years, the Assynt MRT has expanded its membership to better meet demand. The current callout list includes 40 members, and the team is in the process of recruiting an additional four probationers. According to Dyson, the types of incidents handled vary widely, with many involving lower-leg injuries due to slips and trips, alongside extensive search operations conducted over the last five years.

The Thurso base will serve as a critical staging area for operations, particularly for incidents occurring on local peaks. “It’s quite a good staging post for the likes of Ben Loyal and some of the more northern hills,” Dyson stated. This strategic location is expected to improve response effectiveness, especially in areas that have seen a surge in emergency calls, such as Ben Hope.

The team is now preparing to undertake internal renovations to maximize the potential of the new Thurso facility, ensuring it meets the growing demands of mountain rescue operations in the region.