Mystery surrounds a car which has been abandoned on the north’s main arterial road.
The snow has come and gone but a blue Citroen C3 is still sitting in the large lay-by on the A9 north of Tomatin.
It is thought that the five-door petrol hatchback has been in the parking area on the northbound carriageway, between Tomatin and Dalmagarry Quarry, for more then two months.
Police tape was strung around the vehicle, which was first registered in 2002, several weeks ago after a worried motorist reported its constant presence in the lay-by.
Since then its wing mirrors have been broken and drive and passenger side windows smashed in. Bits of glass have been left on the front seats.
The rear lights have also been broken.
And in the last few days, the two rear wheels have been taken off, leaving the car propped up on a couple of breezeblocks. The hubcaps can be seen lying on the ground around the vehicle.
It also appears that someone may have tried to force open one of the rear doors.
But the interior remains pristine – although the owner has left their soft drink can in the cup holder.
According to a tax disc displayed on the front, the car was taxed in Fintry, Dundee, in April but the six month period purchased ran out at the end of October.
A police spokesman confirmed they were aware of the vehicle but said there was no crime associated with it.
He suggested that the council was responsible for taking it away as abandoned vehicles are sometimes regarded as flytipping.
However the Highland Council said yesterday that police had traced the registered owner, who is from Dundee.
A spokeswoman said that the owner was trying to arrange recovery of the car.
She added that at present the Citroen did not fulfil criteria for abandoned vehicles and would not be uplifted by the council.
However she said the situation could be reviewed in the future.