A 90-year-old former gamekeeper has been left “black and blue” after a cyclist struck him in an Aberdeenshire forest.

Doug Murray, a well-respected member of the local community, was taking a walk through the forests near his home in Birse, near Aboyne.

The former gamekeeper and gillie – who spent more than 25 years at Dunecht Estates after he left the army –enjoys to remain active by spending time at the peaceful spot.

But the pensioner has been left “shaken” after being subject to a “hit and run” by two mountain bikers recently.

Mr Murray was walking down a steep path which meanders to the River Dee Bridge when the young men “appeared out of nowhere”.

He said: “They were in their mid-20s I would say.

“One came into the back of me and my legs buckled beneath me.

“I was on the ground when a second cyclist sped past.

“My legs were black and blue , they’re still swollen now.”

Covered in mud, Mr Murray hauled himself up and limped home, hanging on to trees and fences to help keep him upright.

Two weeks on from the incident, his leg still pains him, but he says the mental side-effects are far worse.

The 90-year-old, who is partially deaf and struggles with his sight, yesterday said that he had chosen not to report the matter to the police.

He said that all he wanted was an apology from the men responsible.

Daughter-in-law Karen Stewart stressed that the incident could have had far more serious ramifications.

She said: “It was horrendous to receive the call that Doug had been injured.

“He might not have made it home – and given his location it would have been hard for us to find him.

“The issue is with the fact that the second cyclist saw what happened and didn’t stop to see if he was alright, or to apologise.

“They could have killed him – and will need to live with what they did.

“It is important for parents to speak with the younger generation about their attitudes – unfortunately you hear about these things too often.

“Elderly people have as much value as anyone else – Doug should be able to go out and enjoy a walk without any hassle.”