Police are investigating the suspected theft of golden eagle eggs from a  nest in the Highlands.

Wildlife crime officer Constable Daniel Sutherland described the theft in the Kincraig area of the Cairngorms as "extremely disappointing".

Police suspect an egg collector climbed to the nest to take the eggs.

Constable Sutherland said: "We can confirm that after having visited the nest, the tree has been climbed and the eggs stolen from within the nest.

"We are working with the landowners who are supportive of wildlife and are extremely disappointed that eagles nesting on their ground have suffered at the hands of egg collectors.

"It is frustrating that once again criminals believe they can get away with thieving from the nests of this iconic species in the Highlands.

"Stealing from the nest of a wild bird is illegal and anyone found to be involved in egg collecting will be robustly dealt with."

Susan Davies, director of conservation at the Scottish Wildlife Trust said: "Like all wildlife crime, stealing eggs from nests is a disgraceful act that has no place in modern Scotland.

“Thankfully egg thefts are becoming increasingly rare but golden eagle numbers are still lower than they could be in some parts of the Highlands. Illegal persecution like this incident harms their recovery.