Police are appealing for information following an attack on a 78-year-old man outside a house in Ross-shire.
Officers were called to the Logan Way area of Muir of Ord at about 9pm on Monday night.
The elderly man was taken to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness where he was treated for minor facial injuries.
Inspector David Ogilvie said: “Our inquiries are ongoing and we are urging anyone who saw anything unusual or suspicious in the Logan Way area around that time to get in touch.
“In particular we are looking to speak to four teenage boys who are believed to have been in the area at the time.”
Inspector Ogilvie added that anyone with information should contact police “as soon as possible” on 101, or by contacting Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
Dingwall and Seaforth councillor Margaret Paterson said: “I am really saddened and disturbed to hear of this and I hope this man recovers quickly.
“Anyone who would attack a gentleman of that age is a coward, so I just hope the police manage to catch the people responsible as quickly as possible. We have to protect our elderly and vulnerable people in society.
“It’s unheard of for this to happen in a place like Muir of Ord.”
