A trap that was once used to snare humans centuries ago has been stolen from a 13th century Scottish abbey.
The device, which would once have been used to catch poachers and trespassers in the 17th and 18th century, was taken from Deer Abbey in Mintlaw, Aberdeenshire.
Police Scotland have now launched an appeal to try and track the historic item, which is usually located on the entrance wall of the abbey ruins, after it was believed to have been snatched sometime between the afternoon of Tuesday June 14 and the following afternoon. Bosses at Historic Environment Scotland, which maintains the building, condemned the theft.
Peter McGrath, head of physical security at the organisation, said: "Theft from historic sites, whether on our estate or in the wider historic environment, is unacceptable. "Acts such as this can cause irreparable damage and mean that we can lose pieces of our past forever."
Police Scotland are investigating and Inspector Rory Campbell said: "Historic sites form an integral part of our cultural heritage and far from being places consigned to the past, they are vibrant and alive, welcoming visitors from all across the globe.
"Inquiries are ongoing into this incident and we are appealing for anyone with any information which may assist us to get in touch."
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