Fears for whale spotted in Oban Bay

Sperm whales are a rare sight in inshore Scottish waters

Rescue teams are on standby to help a sperm whale which has swum off course and ended up in the shallow waters of Oban Bay.

British Divers Marine Life Rescue has been observing the whale, which was first spotted four days ago, but said it was not obviously distressed.

Experts said it was likely to be either lost or sick.

Olivia Harries, from the Hebridean Whale and Dolphin Trust, said it did not seem to be trying to leave the bay.

"These animals are really found in off-shore continental shelf waters where it is deep and where they can forage on their preferred prey," she said.

"So to find it in an area that's a maximum 40m depth is a bit of a concern."

The trust said people should report sightings but urged people in boats to avoid causing the whale any distress.