A Perthshire estate has had its general licence restricted after allegations of wildlife crime targeting birds of prey.

Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) said the move had been taken against an unnamed individual and the Edradynate Estate on the basis of evidence provided by Police Scotland.

It follows the discovery of two poisoned buzzards and the setting of illegal traps.

General licences allow landowners or managers to carry out actions which would otherwise be illegal, such as controlling common species of wild birds by shooting or trapping to protect crops or livestock.

They are described as a "light-touch" form of regulation relying on trust and can be restricted over wrongdoing.

The three-year restrictions can be increased if more evidence of offences comes to light.

SNH chair Mike Cantlay said: "We're working hard to protect our birds of prey. Raptor persecution doesn't just damage Scotland's nature, it also affects tourism which in turn impacts on the economy."

RSPB Scotland said it was disappointed no prosecutions were made in either case.

Ian Thomson, the charity's head of investigations, said: "It has been reported by the authorities that these latest restrictions are as a result of evidence of serious wildlife crime offences being found, with clear links to local gamebird shoot management established by the subsequent investigations.

"This part of Perthshire has had an appalling history of raptor persecution and this case followed the discovery by police of two poisoned buzzards.

"The other restriction was imposed after RSPB investigations staff passed video footage to police of a gamekeeper allegedly setting illegal traps, baited with a dead woodpigeon, very close to a goshawk nest in north east Scotland."

The two latest restrictions announced by SNH are not thought to be connected.

A spokesman for Edradynate Estate said it intends to appeal the ruling.