Two rescue dogs and their handlers are set to receive a special award for their impressive achievements. Rogue, a Belgian Malinois, and Bowie, a Border Collie, along with their handlers Paul and Sam Noble, based in Braemar, completed a Search and Rescue Dog Association (SARDA) training course in just one year instead of the usual two. Mrs. Noble and Bowie won Sarda Scotland’s Mardas Trophy for best novice team, and shortly after, Mr. Noble and Rogue found their first missing hillwalker.
In a remarkable achievement, Rogue and Bowie, along with their handlers, Paul and Sam Noble, have made history by being only the second novice team in Sarda Scotland’s history to locate a missing walker during an official search.
But their contributions don’t stop there. These dedicated duos also accompany the Nobles on their daily winter expeditions into the Southern Cairngorms, where they conduct crucial avalanche hazard assessments for the Scottish Avalanche Information Service (SAIS).
Their outstanding efforts have not gone unnoticed. To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the Fort William Mountain Festival, Rogue, Bowie, and the Noble duo have been honored with a special Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture.
As anticipation builds for the festival next week, let us celebrate the unwavering commitment and invaluable contributions of these remarkable teams to mountain safety and rescue efforts.
Mr. and Mrs. Noble were thrilled by the latest honor. They shared, “Mountains are our life, and we’ve tackled many tough routes and summits.”
Becoming a search dog team presented similar challenges. They noted the need for unwavering commitment and acknowledged the ups and downs along the way. “The hardest part,” they said, “is bouncing back after setbacks.”
