It had previously been confirmed by Tayside Police that the bird "certainly" picked up the poison in the local area, and members of Inveresk Community Council are now going to write to the local estates, which comprise of Millden, Gannochy and Invermark, the Scottish minister for the environment, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, and the chairperson of Scottish Natural Heritage looking for support on the matter.

Brechin Community Council vice-convener, David Adam, who was at the meeting as one of many members of the public, raised the issue.

"I think we are all quite shocked about this," he said. "I think it is fairly conclusive that the bird was poisoned and that the bird was poisoned in Glenesk.

"Can I ask you to consider writing to all the estates, Roseanna Cunningham and the chair of SNH, expressing your concern about the use of extremely potent poison, which could easily run into water.

"These birds are an extremely valuable part of our heritage. The use of poison indiscriminately will very quickly get rid of the population of Scotland's natural bird, which I think would be a great shame."

Although all at the meeting were careful not to attribute blame to any single person or estate, as it is not currently known exactly where the bird, known as Alma, ingested the poison, there was widespread support for Mr Adam's comments.

Angus Council leader and farmer on Millden estate, Bob Myles, said: "I agree with the first comment, but we have to be careful what we say until the outcome of the police investigation. Everyone is appalled with the death of the bird."

Inveresk Community Council chairperson, Charlie Simpson, commented: "To poison such creatures goes totally against the nature of Scotland."

Community Councillor Agnes Lowdon remarked: "I agree entirely - I don't think anyone was targeting that bird - as it is a free spirit - but they were targeting a raptor."

Inveresk's secretary, Judith Gallagher, noted: "If people hadn't been monitoring the bird then we would not have known what happened to it."

Landward bobby, Ian Macpherson, had given the meeting of Inveresk an update about the ongoing investigations into the incident during his police report.

Constable Macpherson said: "On July 12 a two-year-old golden eagle was found dead in Glenesk. It had been fitted with a satellite tracking device.

"The eagle had fledged from Strathspey in 2007 and concerns were raised on July 11 when is appeared to be stationary. The carcass was found in Glenesk at that point and it was confirmed that it had been illegally poisoned.

"Enquiries are on-going with both Tayside Police's wildlife section and CID officials looking into this."