A lock keeper has been hailed a hero after pulling a pensioner from the Caledonian Canal at Fort Augustus.

Allan Grant jumped into the water to save a 80-year-old woman after she fell into one of the locks on Thursday evening. The tourist, who is from the Fife area, slipped and fell 20 feet into the lock

Mr Grant was alerted to the incident after hearing shouts from members of the public. Along with his colleague Ian Petty, he threw a lifebelt to the stricken woman but she was unable to hold onto it. 

Mr Grant commented: "I went down the steps and swam towards her. Once I got there, she was very weak and exhausted. I put my arms under her arms and lifted the ring up so her head was above the water."

Police and ambulance staff rushed to the scene and the woman was treated for minor injuries. She has since continued on her holiday.

Mr Grant added: "She thanked me very much and she said she would see me again."

Fellow lock keeper Ian Petty stated: "Without what he did, taking the initiative, she was going into the first stages of hypothermia in the water.

"She couldn’t move. She was incapable of swimming and was incapable of reaching the ladder.

"Alan saved that lady’s life."

Northern Constabulary have praised the canal staff for their actions.