A shotgun stolen from a home four years ago has been discovered in the grounds of an Aberdeen university.

The firearm was found by a member of staff in a wooded area of the Robert Gordon University's Garthdee campus on Monday afternoon.

The gun was taken from a home in Aberdeenshire in 2012 and it is unclear how it came to be at the university.

Police Scotland detective inspector Allen Shaw said: "Early enquiries would indicate that this weapon appears to have been stolen from a property in the Aberdeenshire area in 2012.

"These enquiries are ongoing to establish when the weapon was disposed of, and how it got there.

"I would like to take this opportunity to stress that at no point has there been any threat to the public and that the item has been safely recovered by specialist officers.

"There will be a Police presence in the area into the afternoon while further enquiries are carried out.

"I would urge anyone with information to contact police on 101 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 if you would prefer to remain anonymous."

In an email, an RGU spokesman reiterated there there was "no risk" to students or staff.

They said: "Yesterday afternoon, a member of RGU's estates team found a firearm in the undergrowth at Garthdee Campus and immediately reported it to Police Scotland.

"As a result of this, police are undertaking a thorough investigation of an area to the west of the campus between Gray's School of Art and the Garthdee House Annexe.

"We want to confirm there is absolutely no risk to students or staff, whose safety is always our priority."