A human head has been found in a bag by a woman while she was out walking.
The discovery was made in the Newhaven area of Edinburgh. Lothian and Borders Police have launched an investigation.
It is thought the head may be several years old and it is not known how long it has been there. Police said the remains appeared to be mummified.
A police spokesman said: "Obviously we are at the very early stages of this investigation, and at the moment we are trying to establish the identity of the deceased.
"At this stage it would appear that the remains are a number of years old, although it can't be said for certain how old they are until the necessary tests are carried out.
"At this stage (the) cause of death is unknown, and we will continue our inquiries in order to establish how the remains have came to be on the footpath."
The head was found on a public footpath at Hawthornvale and the woman who found it called the police.
Officers are currently carrying out forensic examinations at the scene, and the area has been cordoned off while investigations take place.
They appealed for anyone with information that can help them establish the identity of the deceased or how the remains came to be there to contact them on 0131 3113131 or Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.
