As reported on the Stornoway Gazette website on Friday, August 1, Monday night, July 28, saw both Stornoway Coastguard S92 helicopters out of action – one with mechanical problems, the other forced to make an emergency landing whilst on a medical evacuation service near Glasgow.

In such situations, emergency search and rescue cover is provided by RAF Lossiemouth and HMS Gannet Royal Navy Base at Prestwick.

But those in the know begged to differ as one insider detailed on the international Professional Pilots Rumour Network, PPRuNe, forums: "Unfortunately it wasn't that night as both those units were off line which is why the S92 was down in Glasgow in the first place. So in actual fact the only serviceable SAR aircraft north of the border was the Coastguard aircraft in Sumburgh that night."

RAF Press Officer Michael Mulford did confirm that both units were indeed 'off-state' during the period; however, he refused to accept that this left Scotland without emergency cover.

"It is exceptionally rare for neighbouring bases to be off-state at the same time but it does happen," Mr Mulford said.

"The system, however, is more than flexible and robust enough to be able to provide alternative cover, and it is not true to suggest that at the point where the Stornoway aircraft was scrambled the only serviceable SAR aircraft remaining to cover Scotland was the Coastguard helicopter in Shetland.

"The RAF Sea King from Boulmer in Northumberland was available along with two fully SAR-equipped and Scottish based BP North Sea rescue helicopters which we can all on in emergencies.

Mr Mulford continued: "Beyond that we can mobilise to Scotland from other parts of England as well as calling on Ireland and Norway, depending on where the incident is.

"The public should continue to be reassured by the service provided by the RAF, Royal Navy, Coastguard and air ambulance crews rather than be deflected by mischief from an anonymous self-confessed rumour network," he added.