A human body has been discovered inside a tent at a secluded spot in the outskirts of Inverness.
The remains are believed to have lain for several months or possibly longer before being discovered and police are now trying to work out the identity of the person.
The identity, age and even gender of the deceased are currently unknown.
Police say the the death is currently being treated as “unexplained” as a post-mortem is yet to take place.
The grim discovery was made on Sunday evening in an isolated corner of the disused Torvean Quarry on the outskirts of Inverness, close to the A82 Fort William road.
The area has several paths and is popular with dog walkers.
The tent was found pitched in a quiet area at the top of a steep bank some distance above a paths.
Forensic staff continued to examine the scene and a uniformed police presence remained at the quarry yesterday.
A blue incident tent has been erected at the scene where the body and the original camp was discovered, while other coverings have been erected at the scene to protect police equipment.
Police believe that the person had been living in the area for some time and have appealed for anyone who may have seen the victim to contact them as they attempt to piece together what happened.
One regular dog walker headed to the scene yesterday to speak to the police standing guard at the scene.
He regularly walks his dog in the area and said he had been aware of the tent for some time, though he didn’t know there was anything awry.
The man, who asked to remain unnamed, said: “The tent has been there for quite a while, months and months.
“I take the dog round that way because it is quite private.
“When I heard I knew I had to go and talk to the police.
“It sounds quite gruesome but I’m a bit worried that my dog might have disturbed something or moved something when it has been up there so I though I’d better go and check with the police.”
It is understood that officers are now looking through the national missing persons database for possible leads.
A police spokesman said that the force had been made aware of the tent on Sunday evening.
He added: “Within the tent police discovered human remains which appear to have been there for several months or longer.
“The identity, age and sex of the deceased person are unknown.
“It is not known how the person died, a post-mortem will be held and the death is being treated as unexplained.
“The tent was in a secluded area of the quarry and was a distance away from paths used by the public.
“It appears that the person had been living in this tent for a period of time and it is likely he or she would have been seen by people nearby.
“Police are appealing for anybody who may have seen this tent or occupant, or that has any information that will assist in identifying the person concerned to contact Inverness police on 101 or alternatively Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”
