A major operation to take turbines parts from Inverness harbour to a windfarm site south of the city is now in full swing.
Ships carrying machinery for the Corriegarth Windfarm, above Loch Ness, have been arriving at the Highland capital in the past few weeks as construction starts.
A convoy of trucks had a police escort on the A9 Inverness-Perth road yesterday morning as they trundled up Drumossie Brae and past Daviot to turn onto the B851 Daviot-Errogie road.
From there they headed along the B862 Errogie-Whitebridge road to the construction site at Gorthleck. The whole trip takes around three hours to complete.
Last month harbour bosses revealed that 31 ships are expected to arrive over the next four months carrying windfarm components.
Parts are also expected for projects at Moy and Dunmaglass.
The Corriegarth windfarm comprises 23 turbines. It was given permission by the Scottish Government earlier this year.
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.
Sinclair Browne, chief executive at the Port of Inverness, said last month that they had a 20% increase in the number of ships in the first four months of 2015.
He added 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 its records back to the 13th century.