Hundreds of bees gathered on the back of the Kier highway maintenance vehicle.

North-east bee expert Andrew Watson told the BBC the swarm was probably between homes.

He said: “It is most likely the nest was nearby and the queen and half the colony - approximately 25,000 to 30,000 bees - have followed her.

“Generally they vacate the nest and rest somewhere close by while scout bees fly out looking for a home.”

Fortunately, the bees are not any danger if left undisturbed.

Mr Watson said it was a glorious sight for a beekeeper: “Swarming bees are happy bees. Whoever had those bees would hate to lose them. I’d scoop them up and put them in a hive - they are a honey-making machine!”

Beekeeper Brian Gall, from Cove Honey Bees, later collected the swarm and took them to a new home on Castleton Farms near Laurencekirk.

Images courtesy of Kirsty McAbery from McAbery Photography.