Rare book haul in farm raid

GRAMPIAN Police were yesterday investigating the theft of a collection of rare books in a break-in at a farmhouse.

The books stolen included a 24-volume collection of the 1842 edition of Sir Walter Scott's Waverley novels and an 1845 first edition of The Clans of the Scottish Highlands by Logan and McIan.

Paintings worth a four-figure sum were also stolen from the farmhouse in the Birnie area of Elgin.

A police spokesman said: "We are keen to hear from anyone who may have seen anything unusual or suspicious in that area around that time.

"The items stolen are very rare and we would urge the public that if they are offered these books for sale to contact police as soon as possible.