A man who raped a schoolgirl and abused other children as young as six has been jailed for 10 years.

James MacLachlan, 49, of South Uist, carried out the attacks between 1989 and 2001 in the Western Isles.

The former fish farm worker was convicted at the High Court in Glasgow.

He was jailed for raping a 14-year-old girl as well as sexually abusing other children as young as six.

Sentencing MacLachlan, judge Lord Beckettt said: "This was a grave course of conduct and unusually depraved sexual abuse.

"It has had a profound effect on the victims - an impact statement from one tells me in articulate and agonising detail how badly damaged her life has been because of you.

"Such is the gravity of these dreadful crimes, there is no alternative, but a significant custodial sentence."

MacLachlan, who will also be supervised for four years on his release, denied the charges, claiming the accusations had been made up.

Detective Inspector Donald Macdonald said: "James MacLachlan subjected his victims to horrendous abuse over a number of years.

"The strength and character of the witnesses bringing these utterly depraved acts to the attention of Police Scotland is commendable and it is thanks to them that he must now pay for his crimes.

"Any report of sexual abuse will be treated seriously and sensitively, no matter when the incident happened."