Whale 'probably drowned' after inhaling water

A post mortem has been carried out on a 25-tonne whale washed up on a beach on the Galloway coastline.

The 57 foot long Fin Whale, believed to be around 15 years old, was discovered on the beach near Newton Stewart on Sunday evening (17th February).

It was still alive when it was found but was left stranded by the tide and did not survive.

An examination was carried out by marine expert Dr Andrew Brownlow.

His preliminary findings show the whale died due to being unable to support its massive weight out of the water and probably drowned after inhaling sea water.