Explosives experts were scrambled to a north-east beauty spot this afternoon to detonate a device dating back to the Second World War.
The Royal Navy’s bomb disposal team was called to a stretch of the Forvie National Nature Reserve at Collieston in Aberdeenshire.
Police had been called at 10.55am and stood guard over the two-inch mortar until the experts arrived and carried out a controlled explosion.
Inspector Steven McDonald, of Banff Police Station, said: “Police were called to a report of unexploded ordnance found on the beach near Collieston.
“The area has been cordoned off as a precaution. EOD attended and carried out a controlled explosion.”
Pictures have now revealed that a two-inch mortar had washed ashore at the beach, along with some other suspected munitions from the Second World War such as a possible floating smoke candle – which were designed to be used to screen amphibious forces.
The two-inch mortar was one of a number of small mortars brought into service by European nations between the two World Wars.
Aiming was by eye and relied on the firer’s judgment and experience.
Post war, the two-inch mortar was kept in service to fire smoke and illuminating rounds.