WWII bomb found near Cawdor in controlled explosion

The mortar bomb was uncovered during forestry work

Bomb disposal experts have carried out a controlled explosion to deal with a World War II weapon that was uncovered by forestry workers in the Highlands.

The rusting mortar bomb was discovered near Reareach Hill, Glengeoullie, on Cawdor Estates on Tuesday morning.

Police cordoned off the scene and military bomb disposal experts were called in.

Northern Constabulary said a number of firing ranges were in operation near Cawdor during the war.

Two mortar bombs were found on a beach at nearby Nairn in March.

The devices were discovered by a member of the public and were thought to have been exposed by shifting sand at Nairn's East Beach.

Edinburgh-based bomb disposal experts made the weapons safe.

Nairn's beaches were used to prepare soldiers and sailors for the Allied landings in Normandy in June 1944.

Following the Cawdor Estates discovery, Insp Murdo MacLeod said: "Discoveries such as this are common in this area where there were a number of ranges in operation during the Second World War.

"As is standard practice, a cordon was placed around the area and following the assessment and attendance of the Ministy of Defence, a controlled explosion was carried out without incident.

"I would like to remind members of the public that these mortars are very unstable and any such find should be reported to police without delay."