Police are investigating the theft of a banner from an Aberdeenshire museum.
Officers have urged anyone with information to get in touch.
The banner depicts one of the museum’s most important artefacts – an iconic full-length portrait of Mary, Queen of Scots, preparing for the executioner’s block.
The two-metre high poster was stolen from the driveway leading up to Blairs Museum sometime between 5.15pm on Saturday and 9am on Sunday.
It was made to advertise a 2013 National Museum of Scotland exhibition, entitled Mary Stewart (1542-87), Queen of Scots – of which the Blairs’ portrait was the centrepiece.
It was displayed on Edinburgh’s Chambers Street before being gifted to the South Deeside Road attraction.
Museum manager Ian Forbes said he hoped it would be returned.
He added: “It’s sad to think that people can be so selfish.
“It would be good to think that on reflection those involved would return the banner.
“You just don’t expect people to come up and just take things.”
A police spokesman said: “Police Scotland can confirm we are investigating a theft from Blairs Museum that happened overnight between Saturday June 27 and Sunday June 28.”
He urged anyone with information to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111.