Bosses at a north port are projecting a major business boost as parts begin to arrive for Highland windfarm projects.
The first ship carrying machinery for the Corriegarth Windfarm above Loch Ness arrived at the Port of Inverness this week.
And harbour management say that they are expecting 31 ships to arrive over the next four months carrying windfarm components.
Parts are also expected for projects at Moy and Dumnaglass.
The first components were carried to the Highland capital from the port of Emden in Holland on the vessel MV Wilson Caen.
Sinclair Browne, chief executive at the Port of Inverness said: “This is the start of a very busy period for us here at the port.
“Over the next three to four months we are expecting 31 ships to arrive with wind farm components.
“On top of these additional ships arriving we have our usual business to handle and our regular port users appear to be busy as well.
“In comparison with last year, there has been a 20% increase in the number of ship visiting the port over the first four months of 2015.”
Permission was granted for the 23-turbine Corriegarth Windfarm to be near Gorthleck earlier this year by the Scottish Government.
The scheme will have a capacity of up to 70MW – potentially enough to power 33,000 homes.
Twenty turbines will be built on the site at Moy, while the Dunmaglass Windfarm will involve 33 turbines being erected near Loch Mhor around 15 miles south of Inverness.
Mr Browne said that the extra trade showed that a decision to expand the harbour facilities had paid off, as it previously would not have been possible to accommodate cargo as large as the windfarm components.
He added: “Our first class facilities are definitely a major benefit as well as the port’s close proximity to users and markets.
“The Port of Inverness is now recognised as a major player in the renewables market.”
The port is one of the oldest businesses in the city and can trace their records back to the 13th century.