A Perthshire whisky shop has been left counting the cost after a second break-in within a month.

Several bottles of rare whiskies and casks - worth an estimated £10,000 - were stolen during the raid, which happened between 2.45am and 3.30am on Friday at J.L. Gill Whisky Shop in Crieff's West High Street.

Police believe those who were responsible had done their research as only high-value items were taken.

Products pinched included a 30-year-old Macallan sherry oak scotch whisky, Macallan rare red and black casks, a 25-year-old quarter cask of Glenfarclas, 21-year-old Oban and Glengoyne whiskies, and a 12-year-old Elijah Craig bourbon among many other items.

A quantity of cigarettes was also stolen during the theft.

Earlier on in January, the shop reported a break-in over the festive season in which two bottles of 30-year-old Macallan were taken.

Steuart Cuthbert, whose son Andrew runs the business, said the latest theft has come as another blow.

He said: "Andrew has spent a lot of time building up a business which is now internationally recognised and just when you are beginning to have the world at your feet, people come and knock it away.

"It really is soul-destroying.

"Andrew has become quite a well-known figure in the whisky-collecting community and he has worked extremely hard."

Mr Cuthbert believes the theft was carefully planned as the thieves cut through metal bars to gain access to the shop.

He said: "All of the methods of operation of the break-in indicate that they came prepared.

"They had tools to cut through security bars on the window, it was not an amateur job.

"They cut through the bars about halfway up and wrenched them out of the stonework. Having that sort of equipment in the boot of your car is not really the hallmark of an amateur."

It is estimated the whiskies taken are worth at least £10,000 at point of sale in the shop though they could fetch significantly more on the open market.

Although the Macallan 30-year-old can be found selling for £5000 to £10,000 online, it was not being sold at such a price in the shop where it was priced at the recommended figure of around £2500.

A Police Scotland spokesperson said: "Some of these whiskies are exceedingly rare, and consequently very valuable.

"Lower value items were left behind, so it appears that those responsible knew what they were looking for.

"It is a good possibility that some of these items have been offered for sale in and around the region, and we would like to hear from you if these items have been offered to you."

If you have any information that could help the police investigation, call 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.