Scrabster Harbour Trust hopes to create dozens of jobs as a result of its investment into St Ola Pier in Thurso.

The Trust is seeking to implement a double-sided pier spanning 920 foot that would allow the harbour to service more offshore oil and gas, renewable-energy and cruise vessels.

Sandy Mackie, port manager at Scrabster Harbour, said: “We think this is a great opportunity to refurbish and redevelop an existing pier which served as the original ferry pier and create a better piece of infrastructure.

“We believe the redevelopment will appeal to, not just the energy market, but to the cruise market also.”

The Trust is hoping to have selected three bidders by Easter.

Mr Mackie added: “We are very much delighted to have reached this stage. Scrabster has made some quite significant developments in the past and these have paid dividends in increasing our revenue and also for the economic impacts for the local area.

“At present, Scrabster Harbour helps support over 400 jobs and we want to grow that in the future.

“Our Ola project is projected to add another 50 to those figures. Given the Dounreay decision, we have to look towards a sustainable future for Caithness and north Sutherland. We feel we have played a part in that and hope to continue that through our future developments.”