Orphaned otter cubs found at Thurso beach
Two orphaned otter cubs are being cared for by the Scottish SPCA after being found in distress at Thurso beach in Caithness.
The 10-week-old males were spotted by a member of the public.
They were scared off by two dogs and were eventually found hiding under a wheelie bin in a nearby garden.
Scottish SPCA senior inspector Audrey Gunn managed to trap the pair. They are receiving care at the charity's rescue centre in Clackmannanshire.
The cubs, found on 26 October, have been named Thurso and Surf.
Ms Gunn said: "Thurso and Surf were timid but curious and I paid a visit to the local fish shop to make sure they were well fed.
"They were lucky to be found as otters are dependant on their mothers until they're around a year old and they wouldn't have been able to survive on their own."
National Wildlife Rescue Centre manager Colin Seddon added: "Both cubs are well, albeit very frightened.
However, they are clearly very happy to be together and they follow each other everywhere."