Scottish Land & Estates is warning of a heightened risk of Lyme disease due to the increasing number of ticks in the countryside.
Members of the public are being warned to check themselves, their children, and their pets for ticks, and if found, remove any ticks as soon as possible after a day in the countryside.
Ticks are most active between April and July.
You are advised to wear clothing that covers the skin to make it more difficult for ticks to latch on and use insect repellent before heading out to enjoy the countryside, particularly in areas of dense bracken or long vegetation.
Ticks can be as small as a poppy seed when they first attach to your skin – be vigilant!
Further advice can be found here.