A Deeside gamekeeper has been banned from working for three years amid claims a bird of prey was illegally trapped on an estate.
The head keeper was employed at Tillypronie, near Tarland, which was once rumoured to be a potential home for former Prime Minister David Cameron after he left office.
At the time the investigation was launched, the estate was owned by Philip Astor of the famous Anglo-American dynasty, and a relative by marriage of Mr Cameron’s wife Samantha.
Mr Astor, who is also vice-chairman of the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT), has since sold the estate to a mystery buyer.
The incident, in March 2014, involved a baited trap near a goshawk nest and was captured on a hidden camera which had been installed by the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds (RSPB).
The ban was imposed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and it is understood to be the first time the organisation has taken this type of action against an individual.
The gamekeeper has not been identified for data protection reasons but SNH has confirmed he will be unable to carry out any wild bird control anywhere in Scotland for three years.
Robbie Kernahan, SNH’s national operations manager, said: “The aim of these restrictions is to take regulatory action when Police Scotland are unable to prosecute an individual and there is clear evidence that a wildlife crime has been committed, but we use a civil burden of proof.”
Tillypronie comprises a 12,400 acre estate near Balmoral which offers grouse and pheasant shoots, deer stalking, tenant farms and salmon and trout fishing on the River Don.
It was sold in various lots for more than £10.5million.
Andrew Gilruth, director of communications at GWCT, said: “The Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust does not condone wildlife crime in any form and strongly supports appropriate action being taken to reduce and prevent it.
Mr Astor declined to comment.
The RSPB could not be reached for comment.