Mary-Jane Parker set out on what was supposed to be a triumphant day of Munro bagging in the Scottish Highlands, aiming to conquer three peaks near Newtonmore in August 2025. An experienced hillwalker from Peebles, she was joined by her faithful dog, Lola, for what should have been a routine adventure. Yet, that day would turn into a harrowing fight for survival, one that tested every ounce of her resilience and left her with a deep well of gratitude for Scotland’s emergency responders.
According to BBC News, Mary-Jane, 61, had always exercised caution and respect around cattle during her time in the hills. "I'm always very wary and respectful of cows on open ground and usually stay well clear of them," she explained. But on this fateful day, the herd was hidden behind a bank of high ground, and she stumbled upon them unexpectedly. "I didn't see them until I skirted the mound and found myself just feet away from them," she said.
Within seconds, the tranquil Highland morning erupted into chaos. The cattle, startled and perhaps protective, quickly surrounded her. "One of them put its head down and started thumping the ground. I was terrified. I couldn't escape," Mary-Jane recounted. In the commotion, Lola panicked, broke out of her collar, and bolted—leaving Mary-Jane to face the herd alone. As reported by STV News, she was crushed between two cows, swept off her feet, and carried along the track. "I could feel my body being crushed between these animals, but couldn’t stop them or get my feet on the ground."
The ordeal escalated as she was thrown to the ground, her rucksack strap catching on one of the cow’s legs. She was dragged along the rough terrain before being tossed into the air and crashing back down. The attack lasted only a few minutes, but the injuries were devastating: ten broken ribs, a broken sternum, a broken right hand, pooling of blood in her chest wall, bruised lungs, major leg trauma, and multiple bruises to her head, face, and body. "I saw a massive wound on my left leg – my calf was ripped open from knee to ankle, and the muscle was hanging out," she described.
Yet the danger was far from over. The cattle lingered, some snuffling at her head, another licking her bleeding wounds, and a third pawing at her boot. Fearing a second attack, Mary-Jane made the split-second decision to play dead, remaining as still as possible for 45 excruciating minutes. "I could see my phone lying about 8 meters away, but couldn’t reach it. It was torture. At any moment, one could kill me – even by accident – the danger was far from over."
Despite her injuries and the terror of the moment, Mary-Jane managed to activate her Garmin emergency alert and tracking device. The device, nestled in her rucksack beside her head, triggered an SOS signal. "Keep holding on, don’t go to sleep, don’t lose consciousness," she told herself. "Keep breathing, I said over and over to myself. Help will come."
The first sign of hope came in the form of fellow hillwalkers, whose voices cut through her pain and fear. They chased off the cattle and rushed to her aid, reassuring her that Lola, her beloved dog, was safe and well. "I assumed they had killed Lola, but I couldn’t let my head be filled with awful thoughts," she later reflected. Minutes later, police and paramedics arrived, transporting her off the hillside to a waiting ambulance. But as the severity of her injuries became clear, it was apparent that a road ambulance simply wouldn’t get her to hospital in time.
That’s when Scotland’s Charity Air Ambulance (SCAA) was scrambled. "A doctor and advanced nurse practitioner then arrived and judged that my injuries were so extensive that a road ambulance wouldn’t make it to hospital in time," she explained. The helicopter, bright yellow and green, landed beside the ambulance, and Mary-Jane was transferred under the care of SCAA paramedic Claire. "Claire kept a comforting hand on my arm at all times. I felt so safe and reassured. SCAA was the best blend ever of professionalism, caring and kindness all wrapped into one."
The pain was immense—Mary-Jane described it as "crippling" and unlike anything she had ever experienced. She was given powerful painkillers as the air ambulance whisked her to Aberdeen Royal Infirmary, where she was rushed through X-ray and straight into surgery. Over the next ten days, she underwent multiple operations, including skin grafts, as doctors worked to repair the extensive damage. Only after this ordeal was she allowed to return home to Peebles, her recovery still ongoing.
Throughout her convalescence, Mary-Jane has remained deeply thankful for the efforts of everyone involved in her rescue. "It’s a miracle I made it out alive. I’m so grateful every day when I wake up and know I am still alive. What a gift it is. To be given that second chance," she told STV News. She credits SCAA with saving her life and enabling her to be with her family for Christmas 2025. "They were there on the worst day of my life. A day I thought might be my last. They weren’t just there – they were really there. Human beings to the core of what it means to be a human being. They weren’t just carrying out a function; they were so caring, and that makes such a difference."
Mary-Jane’s ordeal has also prompted renewed attention to safety advice for walkers in the Scottish countryside. According to BBC News, NatureScot recommends that anyone encountering cattle should first check for alternative routes. If that’s not possible, walkers should stay a safe distance from cows, keep dogs on a short lead, and avoid coming between cows and their calves. If cattle react aggressively, the advice is to stay calm and leave by the shortest, safest route.
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code, available online, provides further guidance for those venturing into rural areas. Incidents like Mary-Jane’s, while rare, underscore the unpredictable nature of livestock and the importance of preparedness. Her use of an emergency tracking device proved vital, and her story serves as a stark reminder of the power of quick thinking and the value of modern rescue technology in remote landscapes.
Looking back, Mary-Jane says, "I thought I was done for out there on that track. I thought that was where it would all end for me. SCAA turned that on its head and got me where I needed to be – in time – to keep fighting and survive. I owe them everything." For now, she continues her recovery at home, holding her family close and cherishing every day, a testament to survival and the extraordinary efforts of Scotland’s rescue services.
