The population of golden eagles in Scotland has grown by 15% over the last decade, figures show.

Conservationists have welcomed the results of the fourth national golden eagle survey that shows numbers of the bird of prey have increased to 508 pairs from 442 in the last survey in 2003.

Experts say the figures show the golden eagle, regarded by many people as Scotland's national bird, is recovering to previous historic levels.

Scotland is now "more than likely" home to the entire UK population, RSPB Scotland said, following reports earlier this year that England's only resident golden eagle was feared to have died.

The northern Highlands and the central spine of Scotland, between the Great Glen and Stirlingshire, saw the greatest increase in eagle numbers between 2003 and 2015, with "modest increases" also found in the west Highlands and Islands.

Duncan Orr-Ewing, head of species and land management at RSPB Scotland, said more work still needed to be done to increase populations in the east of the country.

"The sight of a golden eagle soaring in the sky above is an awe-inspiring part of our natural heritage, and this increase in numbers of golden eagle pairs is great news," Mr Orr-Ewing said.

"Increased monitoring and satellite tagging of eagles, as well as stronger sanctions against wildlife crime may be serving as effective deterrents against illegal activity, therefore helping their population to increase.

"However, the continued absence of golden eagles in some areas of eastern Scotland remains a real cause for concern and suggests that much more work needs to be done."

The national survey was carried out during the first six months of 2015 and was co-funded by the RSPB and Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

Having surpassed 500 pairs, golden eagles are now designated "favourable conservation status" in the UK.

Andrew Bachell, SNH's director of policy and advice, said: "It's particularly encouraging to see greater recovery in some areas where persecution had been thought to be a major constraint in the past.

"That picture is uneven though, and we would still expect eagles to be doing better in parts of the eastern Highlands."

Conservation groups and landowners have clashed previously over allegations that a number of satellite-tagged golden eagles have been "disappearing" in Scotland, but the association of Scottish gamekeepers and moorland groups believe their members have supported the population recovery.

Tim Baynes, director of the Scottish Moorland Group, part of Scottish Land and Estates, said: "Our members are passionate about the golden eagles on their land and it is in large part a tribute to their management and collaboration that the population has increased.

"They have helped the surveyors and worked with SNH in the interest of golden eagles for many years."

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) said it was "delighted" the golden eagle was now in favourable status.

Chairman Alex Hogg said: "Three years ago, the SGA started counting eagles on ground managed by gamekeepers and the increase we reported between year one and year three is accurately mirrored in this study.

"Some of the most productive eagle nests in Scotland have been on driven grouse moors in the last few years, with one nest in the Angus Glens producing three chicks in 2014 and rare triplets in another nest on a grouse moor in the Cairngorms National Park in 2015.

"The Cairngorms National Park now boasts one of the largest concentrations of golden eagles per land area anywhere on the planet, on land managed in most part for grouse shooting, which is an achievement which should not be belittled through a desire to divide."