MIRO life-savers set to appear on BBC TV’s Landward
A team of life-saving volunteers in Moray are set to appear soon on BBC television.
Sunday, October 27 saw Findhorn-based Moray Inshore Rescue Organisation (MIRO) visited by a film crew and presenter from ‘Landward’, BBC Scotland’s farming and countryside programme.
The team were filmed ‘rescuing’ presenter Cammy Wilson as part of a focus on Findhorn for a forthcoming episode of the series.
During the Landward crew’s visit to the village, MIRO volunteer Sean McLean was interviewed by presenter Dougie Vipond about his role as senior fisheries officer for the Findhorn District Salmon Fisheries Board.
Chairman of Findhorn Village Heritage, Tim Negus, was interviewed by presenter Rosie Morton about the loss of the old port of Findhorn in October 1702 when the river changed course, and how it was rediscovered 300 years later.
MIRO operations manager, Peter Mackenzie, said: “ We were delighted to welcome BBC Landward to the MIRO base at Findhorn Marina to find out about the life saving service provided by our volunteers.
“We simulated an emergency call-out, rescuing a Landward presenter, Cammy Wilson, from the beach at the Culbin Forest side of Findhorn Bay.”
MIRO chairman, John Low, added: “I would like to thank the crew from Landward for coming to Findhorn to film MIRO in action.
“Our dedicated volunteers provide a lifesaving rescue service 24/7 all-year-round.
“Findhorn residents are used to seeing MIRO volunteers responding to emergency call-outs, making their way at speed to MIRO HQ and launching MIRO Rescue.
“Thanks to Landward, a much wider audience across Scotland will be aware of our charity and the service our volunteers provide.”
Viewers will be able to catch the Landward focus on Findhorn on BBC Scotland at 8.30pm on Thursday, November 21 and again at 9.30am on BBC2 on Sunday, November 24. The programme will also be available on BBC iPlayer.
Landward broadcasts stories from across Scotland, focussing on issues affecting Scotland’s farming and countryside communities.
MIRO was formed in July 2005 to provide a dedicated rescue service to cover Findhorn bay and its approaches. The Maritime Coastguard Agency (MCA) then tasked MIRO to also cover the inshore waters of the Moray Firth between Burghead and Nairn.
In August 2005, MIRO launched it first boat, the Glyn Whitehead, named after a Findhorn sailor who tragically lost his life at sea in 2003.
In August 2007, MIRO began operating its fully dedicated service with volunteers on call 24/7.
MIRO is manned entirely by unpaid volunteers who give up their time to train, raise funds and save lives.
