The map is the work of the Marine Conservation Society, Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol and the Moray Firth Partnership

The extent of plastic pollution around Scotland’s coasts has been revealed thanks to a collaboration between three charities.

Aerial pictures have been posted to an online map – the Scottish Coastal Rubbish Aerial Photography (SCRAPbook) which show the extent of the problem.

They cast a light on the blight of pollution in our seas as they highlight areas which are normally hard to see.

The map – the work of the Marine Conservation Society, Sky Watch Civil Air Patrol and the Moray Firth Partnership – shows that the problem of industrial pollution, including discarded gear from the fishing industry, is worse than thought.

Vicky Junik from the Moray Firth Parnership charity said: "We hope that SCRAPbook will become an invaluable tool to everyone tackling the rising tide of marine litter.

"The easier it is to find out where the litter is, the easier it is to mobilise clean-up efforts, and we've tried to focus on the less popular or harder to reach parts of the coastline."

Dr Sam Gardner, acting director of WWF Scotland, welcomed its publication, adding: “We know plastics are a growing problem for our environment that must be tackled. They are not only suffocating our oceans, but as they get washed ashore, can have a lasting impact on our coastal environment.

“This aerial survey is yet another reminder that we all need to take greater care in how we use and dispose of plastics.”