A north farmer has spoken of his shock at discovering dozens of sheep have gone missing from his flock.
About 80 sheep, with an approximate value of £6,400 are missing from land off Lettoch Road in Nethy Bridge.
Police have launched an appeal.
Donnie Black, 64, realised they were missing when he went to dip and dose them on Saturday to move them to another field.
The animals have disappeared some time between the end of August and Saturday. Mr Black, who had around 377 sheep, was checking on them weekly, but never counted them until the weekend.
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The crofter has worked with sheep in this area his entire life. He said he has never heard of anything like this ever happening before.
He said: “I’m shocked. Whoever took them, if they are that way inclined they are not going to be concerned about their welfare. It’s financially motivated.
“I have been told this sort of thing is rife across the whole of Scotland but I have never heard of it happening here before.
“We are supposed to have traceable stock but it’s not worth the paper it’s written on. If someone wants to sell your livestock all they have to do is cut the tag out of them and put their own tags in.”
Each sheep is worth between £75-80. Mr Black doesn’t know if they were all taken at once or perhaps over a period of time.
The croft is along a dead end road but there are other accesses through woods and RSPB ground, he said.
The sheep, which are of various breeds, have identification chips in their ear tags, some of which are marked with the number UK548348.
Constable Clare Maclennan said: “We appreciate that is a considerable time period but we are asking people to think back and report any activity in the area which could be considered suspicious to us. Also to report any suspicious activity including unfamiliar vehicles with animal trailers in the area.
“We would be particularly interested in any activity involving unfamiliar vehicles with animal trailers in the area.
“Anyone who has seen any suspicious activity in the area or who has any information is urged to contact Police Scotland on 101. You can also contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.”
