There is a problem living on an island. On the mainland it is usually easy to drive a casualty to a rescue centre, even if it may take several hours.

When two seal pups were found on Tiree, there was a dilemma.

One seal pup in one carrying case. Two seal pups require two cases. Easy, but there wasn’t a big enough van available.

The only vehicle that could do the job was the Ranger Service van. Our friend Hayley volunteered to drive the pups over.

After dropping them off at Hessilhead she had to drive back to Oban, get a short night’s sleep and be in the ferry queue early next day.

All seemed to go well - till Hayley got a call on her way back to Tiree, saying that another pup had been found.

These pups are grey seals. They are pure white, and as they don’t breed on Tiree, they must have come from an adjacent island. No chance of being reunited with mum.

Hayley called us when she got the news. There was only one option. Hayley would put the seal pup on the ferry next day, and someone from Hessilhead would meet the ferry.

Another problem. The ferry was due into Oban at 10.40pm, and storms were forecast.

A trip to Oban can be fun. But as we travelled back with a healthy seal pup in the van, the Good Food café was closed. An hour and a half before we would be home!