EMERGENCY services have recovered the body of a 53-year-old woman during a search at an "iconic" beauty spot.

HM Coastguard were among teams called to the Den of Finella waterfall in Aberdeenshire on Sunday at around 2pm.

Police, firefighters and paramedics all took part in the major water rescue operation for over four hours. The A92 was also closed to allow emergency services easier access to the area.

The search was called off at around 6pm.

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A Police Scotland spokesperson said: “Police recovered the body of a 53-year-old female and a report will be sent to the procurator fiscal."

It is understood the woman slipped at the site of the waterfall and got into difficulty in the water.

The Den of Finella is described as "a scenic spot steeped in myth and legend".

The ravine has a 70ft drop through vegetation where white water drops into several plunge pools.

Legend has it, and the area was dubbed after, a noblewoman-turned-assassin Finella, who leapt to her death at the site in 995.