Eight active water vole colonies discovered in Torridon

Water voles – one of Britain’s rarest mammals – have been found to be thriving in Britain's oldest national nature reserve.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) scientists said eight active water vole colonies have been identified at the Beinn Eighe reserve in Torridon.

Their distribution was unknown until the survey was done.

The reserve in the north west Highlands was created in 1951 and is managed by SNH.

As many as 50,000 hillwalkers visit the area every year, according to the agency.

RSPB Scotland said water voles had been recorded in a part of the Highlands for the first time in 20 years earlier this month.

They were identified at the conservation charity's Insh Marshes reserve in Badenoch and Strathspey

Conservationists believe attempts to eradicate the non-native American mink had helped to encourage the return of the animals.