Dozens of elderly care home residents have been rehoused after a fire.

Firefighters were called to Alastrean House near Aboyne at 3.50pm on Saturday and fought to bring the blaze under control for more than four hours.

Thirty-eight residents were in the building when the fire broke out but there were no injuries.

The majority have been rehomed in the local area but others are being housed in Pitlochry, Blairgowrie and Kirriemuir.

A spokeswoman for the Balhousie Care Group, which runs the home on behalf of the MacRobert Trust, said it is unclear whether the home will reopen.

She added: "There was a fire in our Alastrean Care Home in Aboyne, Aberdeenshire, during the early evening of Saturday. All residents and staff were safely evacuated with no injuries reported.

"The emergency services were contacted and attended the home around 4pm. Residents were promptly moved to a safe area within the home.

"The fire spread internally through the flue to the roof space, causing damage to the walls and roof.

"Although no residents were evacuated outside at the time, alternative accommodation had been arranged. All relatives have been contacted.

"There were 38 residents in the building at the time, along with seven staff members. Our priority is their safety and wellbeing at this point.

"We would like to thank the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service and other emergency services for their fast response."