A DRONE has caused reindeer, some of them heavily pregnant, to "panic” in the Highlands.
The reindeer, which have lived in the Cairngorms National Park since 1952, are the UK’s only free-roaming herd.
Cairngorm Reindeer Herd, which is based near Aviemore, said some of the females were just weeks from giving birth.
The herd were then moved to a safe location.
Cairngorm Reindeer Herd posted to social media and called on drone users not to spook the animals.
A spokesperson said: "The area and hills are getting busier and as a result we are seeing more drones in use.
"We therefore politely request that drone users are extremely sensitive whilst flying in areas where the reindeer roam and do not deliberately target them.
"The reindeer were on leased land and should feel safe."
The reindeer were first introduced by Laplander Mikel Utsi and his wife Dr Ethel Lindgren.
