Social media images of an American TV presenter posing next to a wild goat that had been shot dead in Scotland have provoked a strong reaction from local politicians.

Larysa Switlyk, self-described "hardcore huntress" and host of her own show in the US, posted the images of her on the small Scottish island on Islay on her Instagram and Twitter accounts.

Ms Switlyk told of the "perfect 200 yard shot" that killed one goat, and congratulated a fellow hunter for killing his "gold medal goat".

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The posts drew an immediate and angry reaction from the public, and did not go unnoticed by a number of local politicians.

"As the local member of @ScotParl I am raising this as a matter of urgency," tweeted Michael Russell, the member in the area where the photos were taken.

"If this is actually happening on #Islay, and laid on by some sort of tour company I would want to see it stopped immediately."

Mr Russell's complaints reached Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform, Roseanna Cunningham, who said the hunting, while not illegal, was "upsetting".

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"We fully understand why so many people find these images of hunted animals being held up as trophies so upsetting," Ms Cunningham's statement read.

"Responsible and appropriate culling of animals is a necessary part of sustainable land management and the culling of some wild animals, including deer and goats, is not illegal.

"However, we understand the concerns raised by these images and, in light of them, the Environment Secretary will review the situation and consider whether any clarification of or changes to the law might be required."

The reaction of many others on Twitter was far less measured.

Several people called for Switlyk to "get out of Scotland", while another bemoaned that "it was a beautiful wild goat. Until you shot it".

"How dare you come here and kill our goats with photo [sic] to prove it," another Twitter user said.

"You are simply repulsive. Go home and NEVER come back. You're not welcome."

Switlyk responded to the criticism in another Instagram post, in which she said she wanted "all the ignorant people out there sending me death threats to get educated on hunting and conservation".

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