A female cyclist has died in a crash with a car on the day campaigners gathered to call for investment in cycle safety measures.

The collision happened on the A831 near Milton, Drumnadrochit, in the Highlands at around 8.40am today.

Emergency services were called but the woman died at the scene, police said. The driver of the car was uninjured.

Officers are investigating the cause of the crash and are appealing for witnesses to contact them.

The death came on the day that two "ghost bikes" were placed outside the Scottish Parliament by safety campaigners.

The bikes are painted white and said to represent the deaths of two cyclists last week, 79-year-old Douglas Brown and 14-year-old Connor Shields.

A plaque with the number of cyclists killed in Scotland since 2009 was also put up to underline safety concerns.

Ghost bike organiser Andy Arthur said: "It is the political leadership in Holyrood who have the power and the budgets to do something about the safety of cycling, yet they seem to lack political will.

"By leaving the memorial in full view of parliament we hope it will stir some of our elected representatives to action, or else shame them for their inaction."

The Scottish Government plans to unveil details of a new road safety campaign next month.

A Transport Scotland spokesman said: "We are currently investing almost £58 million on cycling infrastructure, training and road safety projects through Cycling Scotland, Sustrans and local authorities over this spending review.

"Funding of £20 million goes directly to local authorities for cycling, walking and Safer Streets projects."