Pilot whale stranded near Cramond dies

A whale stranded in shallow water has died despite efforts to save it.

Picture: Ian Georgeson

The animal died naturally in water in the Silverknowes area of Edinburgh, to the east of Cramond Island in the Firth of Forth, according to the British Divers Marine Life Rescue.

It had been spotted by a member of public who alerted coastguards at about 9.30am.

The Scottish SPCA, coastguard crew and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue were involved.

Picture: Ian Georgeson

Three attempts were made to re-float the animal but it died at around 5pm.

A spokeswoman for the British Divers Marine Life Rescue said: “A vet assessed it and the decision was made that there was probably an underlying cause for it to be there. It wasn’t showing any signs of improvement.”

It was decided that the pilot whale, described as a sub adult, should be euthanised but while the drugs were being prepared the animal died naturally.

The body of the whale will be taken to Inverness where a full post-mortem examination will be carried out.