The current Keeper of Edinburgh Castle has lost a part of an antique pocket telescope after a sneaky seagull snatched and took off with it.
Alastair Bruce was packing his car at the historical capital attraction when the bird grasped the Royal Navy telescope's cap and flew off towards Esplanade.
The British journalist and historian took to Twitter for help tracking the missing part, assuming that the mischievous bird would have dropped it off somewhere in the neighbouring area after realising it was of little use.
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Referring to the antique telescope, Major-General Alastair Bruce of Crionaich said: "Its value rests in that it was my Dad's. It was a present from his father.
"He would have used it as Officer of the Watch on board warships he served in. He commissioned into the war in 1943 and was in HMS Ramillies for DDay in 1944. He left the Royal Navy to farm in 1954.
"I'm very fond of it and brought the telescope to the Castle when I became Governor, but the cap was missing. It was found last week, and I was shifting stuff in my car when the seagull pounced."
Acknowledging that the part can be on any rooftop in Edinburgh, the historical advisor asked his Twitter followers to reach out if they happen to stumble across the telescope's cap.
The staff at Edinburgh Castle have been informed of the loss, too, and are keeping an eye on what might appear in the premises' open areas.
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