Scotland has its very own prehistoric marine reptile - no, not the mythical Loch Ness monster.

Scientists have announced the discovery of the fossil remains of a dolphin-like marine reptile on the Isle of Skye that lived about 170 million years ago.

The 4.3 meter-long creature, named Dearcmhara shawcrossi, is a member of a group called ichthyosaurs that were among the dominant marine reptiles when dinosaurs roamed the land. Ichthyosaurs some of which reached monstrous proportions rivaling all but the largest of today's whales, thrived for more than 150 million years until disappearing about 95 million years ago.