A plan to reintroduce beavers to the UK after a 400-year absence has entered its next phase after the arrival of four families from Norway.
The mammals were captured after being tracked for two months and will spend the next six months in quarantine.
Wildlife staff hope to release them into the Scottish countryside next year.
The capture of the beavers marks the latest phase of the Scottish Beaver Trial, a six-year project aimed at achieving the UK's first native mammal reintroduction.
It is being spearheaded by the Scottish Wildlife Trust and the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS).
The organisations, with a team of specialists, have been tracking the beavers in the Telemark region of Norway since September. Each beaver family comprises one adult male and female and between one and three yearlings (or kits).
After six months in quarantine, they will be released in Knapdale, mid-Argyll, during a trial in the spring.
Once released, the project partners and Forestry Commission Scotland will manage the scheme, with Scottish Natural Heritage conducting scientific monitoring on the impact of the beavers.
Iain Valentine, head of animals, conservation and education for RZSS, said the project teams in Norway monitored the beavers during nightfall, when they are most active. He said: "The team in Norway spent long periods of time in specific sites to identify complete family groups, ensuring that none are left behind.They did a fantastic job and all the beavers are in excellent health."
Simon Jones, project manager for the Scottish Beaver Trial, said: "Beavers are native to Britain but were hunted to extinction over 400 years ago. We are excited to get the trial under way and really see what benefits beavers can bring to Scotland."
