Tow the goat ashore! Tiffany, Timothy, Chocolate Drop, Snuffles and Gem were five goats who had got quite used to their lonely existence on the isle of Inchkeith in the Forth estuary.

When the Allandale Animal Sanctuary moved to Lanarkshire from the isle, sanctuary trustee Mrs Allan had been unable to capture them and was forced to leave them behind to their own devices.

In fact, they were so used to it, they didn't want anything to disturb their tranquil existence. And they were quite unaware of Mrs Allan's growing concern for their safety, particularly after spent cartridges were found on the island from the guns of uninvited guests.

The animal sanctuary formed a volunteer group of students to transport the five goats to safety. That day in January, 42 volunteers took the Spirit of Fife ferry journey on a mission of 'goat rescue'.

But the goats had seen them coming - and promptly scarpered out of reach.

It wasn't long before Snuffles was caught.

But two of the five - in desperation - plunged into the sea and swam a short distance to perch precariously on a rock, way out of safety's reach.

Predictably, the waves were soon threatening to engulf the goats and drown them - something drastic would have to be done to save them! Following word from the ferry captain, Queensferry's inshore lifeboat launched to the rescue. With one of the goats on board and the other being towed behind the lifeboat, Queensferry's Atlantic 21 transported the two deserters to safety.

Back on the island and with their minds firmly fixed on freedom, the two survivors at once made off again - without a word of thanks..