This incredible footage captures the moment an octopus is released into the wild on the shores of the Moray Firth.
The female lesser octopus had been kept on display at the Macduff Marine Aquarium since she arrived six months ago.
Lesser octopuses are relatively common in Scottish waters, but they have a short life span of about 18 months.
Since this one was already fully grown when she arrived, having been donated by a local fisherman, the aquarium made the decision to release her back into the sea.
Staff now hope the adult octopus will be able to find a mate and breed in the wild.