The pair found the gun on the hills above Kippen. Photo: Richard Webb CC-BY-SA-2.0

A gamekeeper has been fined after pleading guilty to a charge under the Firearms Act.

Two hillwalkers came across a loaded firearm on the hillside above the village of Kippen in August last year.

There was no-one in the vicinity of the weapon. The two members of the public contacted police who traced the gun to 29-year-old gamekeeper Shaun Wilson of Stirling.

Wilson was today fined £675 at Stirling Sheriff Court for the offence under the 1968 Act. His firearms authorisation will now be reviewed by Police Scotland.

A police spokesperson said: “We would like to thank the members of the public for reporting their concerns.”