Marine experts were baffled when a family discovered a bizarre sea beast washed up on a beach.
The small Scottish fishing village of Keiss is famous for its stunning sandy beaches and spectacular views.
While perfect for experiencing coastal living and trying your angling luck, one father and son duo found more than they bargained for.
Stoke-on-Trent natives Gregg Jenkinson and his son Tyler were holidaying on the east coast of Caithness county when they stumbled upon an orange creature.
Speaking about the discovery, Jenkinson, 36, said: “We were up there on holiday, driving to John O’Groats, and on the way we were just exploring harbours because they are beautiful.
Advert
“We stumbled upon this one, so went down to take a look. My son spotted it first – he said ‘look, an octopus tentacle’ as that’s what it looked like from a distance.”
However, when the father and son observed the ‘octopus’, they realised the sea critter was actually something altogether more mysterious.
“As we got closer, we could clearly see it was a fish, but no idea what sort. It looked kind of fatty and it was when we touched it with a stick.
“I felt intrigued as it’s something you never see in Stoke-on-Trent.”
Advert
The 36-year-old also mentioned that the animal had probably been washed up on the stony beach following a storm.
Due to being unsure about the three-foot orange beast, he decided to take a video of it and posted it on his DroneHub Facebook page.
Viewers of the page, who are often treated to the father’s aerial photography, came out in their droves to speculate on the species.
One Facebook user wrote: “It's a male water haggis.”
Advert
Another said: “I am a fisherman, and I can tell you categorically: I’ve no idea.”
Interestingly, experts at the UK Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme (CSIP) have also struggled to identify the amphibian.
Project manager Rob Deaville said: “Looks like the decomposed remains of some kind of small cetacean to me.
“I can see a folded-over dorsal fin and the maxilla of the skull protruding from the melon/head at the front.
“As to species, that's difficult to say from this alone.”
Advert
CSIP Stranding Coordinator Nick Davison was equally as confused and said that he needs ‘better images’ to further classify the marine creature.
“I agree with Rob – it would appear to be the remains of a small cetacean, but we’d need better images to be sure.
“We did have a common dolphin about a mile south of the harbour the day before, but this isn’t that animal.”
Ella Scott