Inverness residents fear that their community has become overrun by rats as a result of flood allevation works forcing the creatures from their natural habitat.
People in Culloden have reported seeing an increasing number of the rodents in their gardens in recent weeks.
Their concerns have intensified over the past few days when the animals have been witnessed in broad daylight, and with broods of their young.
Smithton and Culloden Community Council chairman, David McGrath, suggested that the influx of the creatures was linked to a project to prevent flooding.
He said: “Contractors are working on the final phase of the Culloden flood alleviation scheme, altering burns and culverts, and that disturbs all the rats.
“I’ve had a number of complaints from householders, and I also heard a rat had been spotted at the bus stop on Keppoch Road, sitting by the bus shelter eating a crisp.
“The reports have been coming from Blackthorn Road, which is only 50 or 60 yards from flood works, and Stuart Court – which is not far from a burn.
“They’ve also been sighted in Smithton, at the new flats on Tower Road.”
On the community council’s Facebook page, residents have also reported seeing rats in Smithton Park and by Duncan Forbes Primary School.
Sue Mitchell said she first became aware of rats in her garden in Blackthorn Road about three weeks ago, and claimed one family of the rodents are now living there.
She said: “It was about teatime and I looked out of the window to see what at first I thought was a mouse in the hedge.
“Then I realised it was far too big to be a mouse, it was a rat.
“I moved my bird feeder away from the hedge, and hoped that would be the end of it, but I saw it several times after that.
“Now I’ve seen it with young. It’s living in the hedge.
“The neighbours over the road have also seen rats in their garden.”
Key elements of the flood alleviation works include the creation of two large ponds to retain floodwater in Culloden and Smithton parks.
The project will also involve the replacement of a culvert between Lochlann Court and Redburn Avenue, and the removal of a culvert beneath Smithton Park.
Work will also take place to remove a culvert between the railway at Murray Terrace and Smithton Park.
Highland Council was unavailable for comment.
