A major search and rescue operation was launched yesterday after a man was spotted on one of the north-east’s most notorious cliffs.
Emergency services were called out to search the precarious coastline near Slains Castle near Cruden Bay at around 12.30pm.
Police set up a post at a layby near the Bullars of Buchan beauty spot six miles south of Peterhead and were quickly joined by two teams of coastguard volunteers.
An RNLI spokesman confirmed that the Peterhead lifeboat was launched to patrol area.
Rescuers battled thick fog on the cliff tops and police officers discovered the man safely on land. He is not understood to have sustained any serious injuries and the RNLI and coastguard teams were stood down at 1.30pm.
The full search party included three police cars and two specialised dog units, the lifeboat as well as volunteer coastguard search and rescue teams.
A police spokeswoman said: “We were made aware of a missing person and were with the coastguard as we searched for him.
“He was found safe and well. He wasn’t found in the water, he was found on the cliffs and that is where he was spotted and spoken to.
“He was fine and well and no serious injuries were reported.”
A spokesman for HM Coastguard added: “The initial call went to the police and we received a call for assistance from the police.
“As far as I understand the man was found by police.”
The walkways close to the castle ruins have become notorious following a string of serious accidents and fatalities in recent years.
Ellon Academy schoolboy Cameron Smithies, 15, died last summer from injuries he sustained after falling 100ft at the historic castle site.
A warning to walkers is posted in the layby which was used by police in yesterday’s search and rescue mission.
The warning advises visitors that “footpath access is narrow, rough underfoot and lies along the cliff top.”
Walkers are also warned to avoid the beauty spot in windy or foggy conditions and to keep dogs under control at all times.