Human remains dating back years discovered in Aberdeenshire woods

Police are probing the discovery of human remains on the outskirts of Ballater which date back “a number of years”.

A member of the public made the grisly find in woods about a mile to the west of the Aberdeenshire village on Friday and raised the alarm.

Several police cars swooped on the spot and officers have sealed off an area around the body.

A spokesman for the force last night confirmed that an investigation into the matter had been launched.

He said: “We received a call following the discovery of some human remains in the Ballater area by a member of the public.

“The remains have been there for a number of years and inquiries remain ongoing to establish the identity of the deceased.”

One witness reported seeing as many as six police cars around the scene last night as officers examined the body.