The first ever wildcat rescue facility in Scotland has been established in the Highlands.

Highland Titles have created the enclosure on more than an acre of land, making it the largest facility in Europe.

The centre will assist orphaned wildcats to learn how to survive in the wild and allow injured adult wildcats to recuperate without human presence.

The facility has multiple secluded den sites in a forest, a running stream, open grassland areas and will not be open to the public.

Once the wildcats are rehabilitated or old enough to leave the nest, they will be released back into the wild, fitted with GPS collars to monitor their progress.

The wildcats will be released into areas made safe by Wildcat Haven, a conservation project who operate a large scale neutering programme to ensure the wildcat is protected against its primary threat of hybridisation.

Wildcats face many other threats including snaring, poisoning, road traffic accidents and disturbance of den sites, which can lead to the abandonment of kittens.

But due to the lack of rescue facilities it means that young wildcats don't learn how to survive in the wild and find themselves spending life in captivity.

With less than 100 pure wildcats left, the facility aims to help conserve the species.

A spokesman for Wildcat Haven said: "This is a fantastic boost for Scottish wildcat conservation and offers a route back to the wild for any wildcats in need of help.

"This is a much better alternative than a future in captivity."

A spokesman for Highland Titles said: "We have been supporting the conservation of Scottish wildcats for over six years and we are delighted to continue that support with the first facility of its kind."