This stunning picture shows the moment a huge herd of one of Scotland’s most iconic species was spotted grazing on a north-east hilltop.
The remarkable red deer image was captured by mountaineer Brian Shackleton on Creag Leacach in Glenshee, near Braemar.
Mr Shackleton, 65, described the breathtaking moment he spotted the herd – the largest group of the animals he had ever seen in his hillwalking career.
The veteran skier and winter climber, who is a descendant of polar explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton, estimated there were between 800 and 1,000 in the herd.
Deer are known to congregate in the Glenshee area in large numbers, although experts believe they herd together when storms are looming.
Mr Shackleton said: “As I approached the top there was a very, very strong smell of deer.
“They have got quite a strong smell. They were moving very slowly from left to right, centring just underneath the top of the hill.
“It was a very, very still day. They had no idea there was anybody in the vicinity.
“As I poked my head up over the ridge I had to have been about 100-200 metres (110-330 yards) away.
“I realised there was really a very, very large number of them. There was steam coming off the herd.
“I have never seen that many before, I have seen a very large number which was quite similar a few years before.
“I think maybe with the number of people that walk in Glenshee, it maybe encourages the deer to go into big groups in the area.
“As they part-disappeared around the hill, one thing it reminded me a bit of was a scene out of Lord of the Rings, like a large Orc army disappearing over the hill.”
The issue of Scotland’s deer population was recently discussed by MSPs.
Grazing deer can have an impact on crops, woodland regeneration and biodiversity.
Mr Shackleton added: “I think the general view from people interested in conservation and natural regeneration of trees is there are too many deer.
“I would support the fact there should be fewer deer, but I think there are different problems in different areas of Scotland.
“That part of Glenshee does seem to have a problem.”