iStockPolice have appealed for help tracing a speedboat seen “deliberately disturbing” a pod of orcas in Moray.
Officers received reports of a speedboat crossing the path of a pod of orcas and disturbing their course off the coast of Findochty around 6.55pm on Friday.
Anyone who witnessed the incident is being asked to come forward.
It comes after “rare sightings” of orcas in the Firth of Forth were reported in early June.
It is rare to spot orcas on the east coast of Scotland as they are most frequently seen on the north and west coasts.
A small pod resides year-round on the west coast, and northern pods are commonly sighted in Shetland, Orkney and on the north coast.
After the first sighting, a warning was issued by Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) after footage showed boats getting too close and staying too long around the orcas.
Constable Smith, from Buckie Police Office said: “It is great to see these animals around the Moray coast, however it is an offence to intentionally or recklessly harass or disturb a dolphin, whale, porpoise or basking shark.
“I would appeal to any members of the public in the area at the time who may have witnessed this incident to please contact Police Scotland on 101 quoting incident number PS-20250607-1208.”
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