A history enthusiast may have unearthed a rusting relic of Royal Navy "fire and sword" tactics from the 1700s while weeding his Highlands garden.

John Hodgson found what is believed to be bar shot - metal balls, linked together by an iron bar - at his home in Morven.

Retired marine archaeologist Dr Colin Martin said the ammunition was designed for tearing a ship's rigging.

But he said it could be from one of two warships that attacked Morven in 1746.