This article is devoted to the theoretical and experimental investigations of an inclined cable subjected to the boundary motion condition. A model is presented for predicting non-linear behaviour. The analysis of basic phenomena is performed using the multiple scales method. The cable is modelled with one or two degrees of freedom for in-plane displacement. Models with one or two degrees of freedom are used for out-of-plane displacements. Experiments are carried out on the mechanical model and served to identify parameters and validate the one-degree of freedom model for in-plane displacements. Numerical and experimental results are in good agreement.