Rolex watches worth £500,000 were stolen during an armed raid at Gleneagles.

Three men threatened staff with a firearm during the raid in Perthshire on June 27 and made off with more than 50 watches, police revealed on Friday.

They targeted a branch of jewellers Mappin and Webb at the Gleneagles Hotel in what detectives described as "an organised and planned robbery".

The men used a sledgehammer to smash cabinets before clearing them out and fleeing in a dark blue Audi.

The car was later found abandoned in Auchterarder and police believe the thieves left the area in another car, a grey Range Rover Evoque.

Both vehicles were stolen in the weeks before the raid and had fake number plates. The Range Rover is believed to have been found burnt out at St Peter's Cemetery in Glasgow a day later.

Detective inspector Andy Patrick said: "We are looking to trace the three men but we believe they may have had assistance from others. They are described as wearing dark coloured clothing, dark hats and faces partially covered.

"During the robbery a firearm was presented at staff, thankfully no shots were fired and no one was injured.

"Our extensive enquiries so far have established that the Audi car which was abandoned in the Auchterarder area was stolen from the Kent area in June.

"The two door grey-coloured Range Rover Evoque was stolen from the London area in May.

"A Range Rover Evoque was later found burnt out in St Peter's Cemetery in the London Road area of Glasgow the day after the robbery on June 28. There is a strong likelihood this could be the vehicle used in the crime."

Police Scotland is understood to be coordinating its investigation with police forces in England.