Three whales have died after becoming stranded off the Isle of Skye, while 11 others were successfully refloated by rescuers.
The pod of 21 pilot whales became beached at Staffin early on Tuesday.
All of the mammals were floated back out to sea but several quickly became stranded again at nearby Staffin Island.
It is understood ten whales either died or had to be authanised by vets at the scene, including a female who lost her calf.
The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) said on Tuesday night that the remaining six whales had been successfully refloated.
A pod of whales have been refloated after becoming stranded off the Isle of Skye.
Rescuers are waiting for high tide to try to refloat whales stranded off the Isle of Skye.
A pod of 21 pilot whales became beached at Staffin earlier today.
The mammals were floated back out to sea but several stranded again on the shores of nearby Staffin Island.
It is understood nine whales have died or had to be euthanised by vets at the scene, including a female who lost her calf.
The British Divers Marine Life Rescue (BDMLR) said attempts would be made to get the remaining seven back out to sea at high tide at around 6.30pm.
A spokesman said: "Each of the remaining seven animals are being assessed in the hope that some may be fit enough to be refloated to join the whales that are currently free swimming and the team continues to give them first aid.
The BDMLR was alerted to the stranded pod at Brogaig Bay on Skye at about 4am.
They said 18 were refloated before 10 became stranded again on Staffin Island.
Scotland's Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said earlier: "I am very concerned to hear about this stranding of pilot whales on Skye. Marine Scotland and BDMLR are currently working hard to alleviate the situation.
"We have a patrol vessel and other staff on site and I am being kept informed of the situation.
It was believed the stranding was caused by a female whale getting into difficulty while calving. The calf died.
Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust raised the alarm after seeing whales in distress on Monday afternoon.
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