A mystery country estate boss has opened his doors to a family who have been forced out of their flood-hit Ballater home.
A number of gamekeepers have been helping residents in the area in the aftermath of the recent severe weather.
The anonymous kind-hearted sporting tenant of Gairnshiel and the Micras at Invercauld was stunned when he saw images of the devastation back home, while in Belgium.
He immediately contacted Invercauld’s head gamekeeper, Hans Mckenzie-Wilson, and asked him to open his house to anyone who had been forced to leave their homes.
The house is now being used by an Aberdeenshire Council worker and his two sons.
Mr Mckenzie-Wilson said: “As soon as he (my boss) heard of what had happened, he got in touch next day. There was no mobile signal and the internet wasn’t working but he managed to call on the landline. As he was away in Belgium, he just wanted the house to be used for people who were needing it.
“The place was like a disaster area and, basically, he just wanted to do something to help those affected because he’d seen the pictures.
“I went down to the housing office in Ballater Town Hall and the accommodation was gone very shortly after I walked out the door.
“It is good that the place is being used as there are people, from young families to the elderly, who have been affected, here, and it will take a long time for things to get sorted out.
“Whatever people have seen on TV or in the newspapers, it’s been worse than that. Even now, the whole place still smells of kerosene.”
It is understood the man also intends to donate furniture to help residents in the Deeside area get back on their feet.