A WHALE skull has gone missing from a beach near the Borders.

Police Scotland say the carcass from a northern bottle nose whale was taken from Cocklawburn Beach, near Berwick-upon-Tweed, between October 19 and 22.

It was being monitored by the John Muir Trust with plans to remove it to National Museums Scotland to be studied.

The 45kg skull originally washed up onto a beach near Cape Wrath, in the Highlands, in 2018.

Detective Sergeant Billy Telford, from Police Scotland’s wildlife crime unit, said: "Whales, dolphin and porpoise are protected species in Scottish/UK coastal areas, and this includes their remains.

"People may not be aware that it is illegal to remove their remains from beaches and other coastal areas.

“This particular item had been earmarked for study. It is a rare example of this species in Scotland and therefore is of significant scientific interest to improve both our understanding of the species and its protection.

“It is a very big and unusual item and someone must know of its whereabouts.

"If you do then please contact Police Scotland so we can arrange for its return to the museum.”

It is illegal to possess any part of a whale, dolphin or porpoise without being licensed.

Dr Andrew Kitchener, principal curator of vertebrates at National Museums Scotland, said: "It is important that this skull of a bottle nosed whale is returned so it can be added to the internationally significant collection of marine mammals which we hold at National Museums Scotland.

"Strandings of this mammal are rare and examples such as this can contribute greatly to the knowledge we hold about these incredible animals and provide a valuable resource to enable further future scientific study of the species and its ecosystem."