Border Search and Rescue Unit provide mountain rescue cover in the south east of Scotland, including the Lammermuir and Cheviot hill ranges. All members of the team are volunteers who live and work in the local community. We are on call to provide emergency assistance 24/7/365. Border SAR is affiliated to Scottish Mountain Rescue.

In 2004, the importance of civilian Mountain Rescue Teams were recognised when we were awarded some government funding for the first time. However, we still rely heavily on donations to provide a professional service, free of charge to those in need. The Team’s main fundraising event is The Annual Border Trail Series  – 3 trail races over the year within the team’s operational area.

https://www.facebook.com/BorderReiverTS.

One of our busiest times each year is undoubtedly during the local common horse riding season, when the team provides emergency medical cover for many of the Border Town Festival rideouts. We also provide emergency medical cover for a variety of hill and off road running races, and a few other local events. We are always grateful to these events for the donations they make in return for this service.

Border SAR can be called out for a wide range of operations: a missing or crashed aircraft; overdue hill walkers; injured climbers; missing persons; fishermen washed away and even suicide recoveries. A wide range of techniques can be used, ranging from carrying the casualty off the hill to calling in a specialist rescue helicopter.

The team is finalising the build of a permanent base in the Pinnaclehill Industrial Estate, Kelso, the result of a huge fundraising effort over the last few years. We have been fortunate to receive some legacy donations and have been successful in some grant applications to fund this, but it is still the main focus of fundraising activities. It will house our 3 rescue vehicles and control trailer, and our specialist equipment.

The team was formed in 1963, and in 2013 we marked 50 years of continual service. We hope to celebrate our 60th Anniversary in our new building.