Stranded whale returns to the ocean after rescue mission
Emergency services were called to help the mammal, which had become trapped in Oban.
A young humpback whale that got stranded in a Scots bay has now returned to the ocean.
A rescue operation was launched on Thursday morning after the mammal was found trapped outside a marine institute in Argyll and Bute.
Drone footage captured by the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) confirmed the calf was not entangled and was later able to move itself from Dunstaffnage Bay in Oban with the help of the rising tide.
Police Scotland, HM Coastguard, British Divers Marine Life Rescue and the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service assisted with the operation.
Marine ecologist professor Ben Wilson, who heads up SAMS' marine mammal research, said: "Humpback whales have been more commonly sighted in Scotland in recent years, as they travel northwards to feeding grounds off Norway and Iceland.
"However, it is still unusual to see one, particularly this close inland.
"We were very concerned for the whale's welfare and our plans changed as the incident developed. Thankfully, the whale managed to free itself on the rising tide and we watched it leave for the open water.
"It was certainly a great learning experience for our students who study marine science here.
"Our thanks go to the emergency services in attendance and the British Divers Marine Life Rescue for their rapid and coordinated response and professionalism."