Highland safaris are being run across Scottish estates as red deer enter the rutting season.
The annual rut, where stags lock antlers to compete for hinds, is fast becoming a tourist attraction.
Estate owners hope red deer safaris will boost public awareness of the importance of country pursuits such as deer stalking to the Scottish economy.
For those who prefer to just watch the animals, rather than shoot them, wildlife tours are being run on a number of red deer estates. Atholl Estates in Perthshire is one such estate offering Land Rover tours.
A spokesman for the estate said: “As a working estate we time our stag rutting safaris to avoid deer stalking and so provide our guests with the renowned opportunity to see these magnificent beasts perform at the rut.”
