In a rare move, a jury went to Edinburgh Castle yesterday to view the scene of a dramatic rockface rescue which a firefighter feared might cost him his life.

Mr Charles Stuart went to help a man who had become stuck on the castle rock in the early hours of the morning.

Mr Stuart now suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and told the jury yesterday that that he feels like a prisoner in his own home.

In his action at the Court of Session Mr Stuart, 52, who never returned to work after the incident, is claiming damages of #150,000 from Lothian and Borders Fire Board.

He alleges that the system adopted for the rescue was inherently unsafe and that he was not provided with proper equipment.

The board denies liability and says that the rescue operation on March 29, 1993, was the same as had been used for many years without incidence of injury.

Before evidence began at the Court of Session, Edinburgh, yesterday, lawyers asked Lord Eassie to allow the jury to visit the castle to inspect the rescue scene. The judge agreed that court officials could accompany jurors to vantage points.

After the visit Mr Stuart, of Baberton Mains Drive, Edinburgh, said in evidence that he was part of the crew from Tollcross fire station called to rescue a man stuck on the castle rock.

Mr Stuart had to descend on a rope from the ramparts to reach the stranded man. After his rescue was effected Mr Stuart got into difficulties trying to ascend.

''I began slipping and those above also began pulling the line at an angle. It pulled me right off and into the rocks. All I felt was myself smashing into the wall.''

Mr Stuart became stuck under an overhang, and became tangled in his rope, and, he said, he feared for his life.

He suffered injuries to his neck and chest, and was retired from the force on health grounds in 1994. He also suffered post-traumatic stress disorder, and felt scared to leave his house.

The hearing continues.