She cheated death at the age of 11 after plunging 200ft off cliffs and landing in a pool of water.
Now, some 50 years later, the grateful survivor has given a surprise donation to the rescue team which helped to save her life.
Rosie Horder, now McCusker, slipped at the Falls of Glomach, in Kintail, Ross-shire, in the summer of 1973 while on holiday with her family.
The schoolgirl, originally from Ayr, fell into a pool 200ft below and managed to clamber onto a rocky ledge.
Miraculously her only injury was to her hand.
Kintail Mountain Rescue Team at the falls Falls of Glomach
A newspaper report at the time
Her father, David, tried to scramble down the gorge but it proved impossible and his only option was to run down the glen to raise the alarm.
Ms McCusker, who now lives in Texas, said: ‘I can only imagine how hard that must have been for dad, leaving his 11-year-old cold, wet and scared.’
More than 40 volunteers took park in the subsequent nine-hour rescue operation.
Now, 50 years on, Ms McCusker has sent a cheque for £5,000 to the Kintail Mountain Rescue Team as a thank you to those who came to her aid. The gift has been made in memory of her late father.
Ms McCusker said: ‘I just want to express gratitude from our family for saving my life and to raise awareness for the work of mountain rescue.
A grateful Ms McCusker who was rescued 50 years ago by a Highland Mountain Rescue team
‘As a volunteer organisation, I’d like to honour the brave people who venture out when called and put their own lives at risk while spending time away from their own families.’
Two rescuers climbed into the gorge to reach the girl, with others using ropes to haul her to a stretcher.
She was treated at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness.
Lara Hinde, Kintail Mountain Rescue Team leader, said: ‘We’re immensely grateful to the family for this donation which will help us purchase essential equipment.’
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