At the Scottish Parliament last week, the West Aberdeenshire & Kincardine MSP pressed the Scottish Government minister to give an assurance on ambulance cover for Braemar residents.

He asked Ms Sturgeon what steps the government would be taking to ensure it met its target of responding to 75% of Category A - life threatening calls - within eight minutes.

Ms Sturgeon responded by agreeing to investigate Mr Rumbles' suggested solution of basing an additional rapid response vehicle in Braemar.

Mr Rumbles said: "I am pleased that the Health Minister has agreed to have a look at the possibility of basing a rapid response vehicle in Braemar, in addition to the unit that will be based in Aboyne.

"These are literally life and death decisions, so it is absolutely correct that the Scottish Government is taking this matter seriously. That said, this needs to be resolved quickly and I will continue to press the minister for action until we have a solution that ensures a safe and reliable ambulance service for all residents of upper Deeside."

As reported in the Piper in April, two ambulances, previously based in Braemar and Aboyne, were replaced with a single ambulance based in Ballater, earlier this year.

An open day, organised by the Scottish Ambulance Service, is taking place at Braemar Village Hall, Mar Road, Braemar, from noon to 10pm today (Thursday), to allow members of the public to view the new rapid response vehicle and speak to staff. Open days were also held in Aboyne on Tuesday and Ballater yesterday (Wednesday).

Braemar Community Council is holding a public meeting in Braemar Village Hall, at 7.30pm tomorrow (Friday), to allow open discussion on the proposals.

Chairman John MacPherson sent an invite to the Scottish Ambulance Service to attend but when the Piper went to press, had not had a response.

"Since the ambulance cover in Upper Deeside was reduced from two to one a couple of months ago, and particularly the removal of the full time ambulance from Braemar, there has been considerable local concern at this reduction in cover", he said.

"Braemar Community Council, while accepting that changes in the working practices may be necessary, very much share the concerns of the local population and of our GP. The council is very keen that any discussions on the matter should be progressive and forward-looking and are keen that a very wide-ranging and open discussion should take place giving everyone the chance to contribute.

"There is an open invention to all interested parties to attend and it is hoped that other local agencies, such as the Fire and Rescue Service, Police, Mountain Rescue and Glenshee Ski Centre will be available to contribute to the discussion.

"Braemar Community Council fully realises that concerns expressed in this community may be replicated in other rural areas of Scotland and hope that discussions and conclusions reached may prove valuable elsewhere."

In last week's Piper, a spokesman from the Scottish Ambulance Service said: "We are quite happy to go to a public meeting once we've had time to collate and analyse information we get from the open days - not really the following day."