Dumbarton residents have been thanked for their efforts to help rescue three runaway llamas who caused drama after legging it over a wall.
The troublesome trio - Rosa, Delilah and 10-month-old Noah - broke out of their enclosure at the old quarry at Overtoun and set off on an adventure - across the A82.
They were spotted traipsing around the streets of Dumbarton East - thought to have been lured to freedom by the smell of fresh grass.
Owners Kevin McVey and Tracy Wood, who are hoping to open Overtoun Llama Lodges this summer, soon realised the pets were missing and set about trying to track them down following information from local folk along the way.
Pictures emerged on social media of the animals wandering around a residential street with locals scratching their heads at how they got there.
Kevin told how the fresh scent of grass appears to have tempted the animals to scale a wall before going onto saunter across the busy A82 to the bemusement of passing traffic.
He said it was a huge community effort to bring them to safety – with “the whole of Dumbarton East” coming out to herd the roaming alpacas.
Kevin said: “We’ve bought the old quarry in Dumbarton and I was in there working when I got a call from my neighbour saying she’d seen them go past.
“They had the run of the quarry which has a high wall but there was a bit of the quarry wall they managed to climb.
“They are known escape artists and can easily jump six feet.
“They wouldn’t usually be bothered about it but I think they were attracted by the smell of the grass, and then they had a wee toddle down the hill.
“A couple of young boys tried to catch them and meant well but they get spooked easily so they ran and headed for the A82.
“Luckily the lights were on red so they managed to cross safely.”
Of the mission to track them down, he said: “It was really stressful as we didn’t know where they were after they ran off and we were worried about them causing an accident or getting hurt.
“But it was a real community effort with I think the whole of Highmains and Dumbarton East coming out to help! We want to thank everyone for that.
“There were people waving their arms from their gardens and so many Facebook messages.
“Others were trying to block them in so they couldn’t go any further.
“Some people didn’t realise what was going on and were taking pictures with them!
“One neighbour was great and drove me out to them while he was on the phone to his wife who was directing us.
“He then took me back so I pick up my horse trailer. We caught them just at the cycle path.
“They must have travelled around a mile or so.”
Locals were in stitches as pictures emerged on social media of the llamas - with no obvious reason of how they got there.
Even Dumbarton MSP Jackie Baillie shared pictures of the spectacle on Twitter, stating: “Round the corner from my house”, with llama emojis and “drama in Dumbarton!”
In one image, a stunned resident can be seen standing in his front garden watching on in awe while a red Audi approaches one of the animals which is standing in the middle of the road.
Two more llamas can be seen on the pavement of the street nearby.
In another comedic picture, the three llamas appear to be seen chasing each other down another street in the town.
Kevin said they are relieved the animals are now safe and said there’s no chance of the escape artists bolting again.
He said: “I’ve built a fence in the quarry which they won’t be able to jump from.
“We’re relieved they’re all safe and well.”
He added that he hopes locals will be able to enjoy more of the new town celebrities if their lodge plans are approved by West Dunbartonshire Council.
He added: “We’ve had the llamas for around the year and have been training them.
“We’re hoping to open this summer and we’ll be offering walks with the llamas as a visitor attraction.
“We’ve done a lot of work up here making it nice.”
