Police are investigating the discovery of a bone on an Angus beach amid speculation that it could be human remains.
The bone was found by a member of the public at Lunan Bay on Wednesday afternoon.
Speculation that it may be part of a human skeleton has been heightened by a continuing police presence in the area of the find today.
A team of around half a dozen officers were involved in combing the beach and dunes in the area south of Lunan Bay, between Redcastle and Ethie Haven.
It is anticipated that the bone will be sent for forensic examination to determine its origin and a possible identity if it is confirmed as human.
A Police Scotland spokesman said: “Police Scotland can confirm that investigations are being carried out following the recovery of a fragment of bone from Lunan Bay, Montrose yesterday afternoon.
“Enquiries are at an early stage.”
The find comes as storm detritus from a wide area continues to wash up on the Angus and Aberdeenshire coast.
The carcasses of dead sheep have been found along the coastline since Storm Frank hit at the end of the year.
This week has also seen household items including a fridge freezer wash up at Montrose.
Last week the body of a rare leatherback turtle, the largest of all living sea turtles, was discovered on the beach at St Cyrus National Nature Reserve.
A team of recovery specialists from Scotland’s Rural College marine animal stranding scheme were assisted by locals in removing the 1.5-metre animal from the beach.