Funding for tidal power research

Tidal energy devices are to be installed in the firth

Projects geared towards making the Pentland Firth one of Europe's main areas of tidal energy production are to receive a share of £14m.

Based at North Highland College UHI in Thurso, the money will fund training for engineers and pay for research.

Some of the work will be done at the Scottish Association for Marine Science (SAMS) near Oban in Argyll.

It has been proposed to site tidal devices in the firth between Scotland's north mainland coast and Orkney.

The European Regional Development Fund, Scottish Funding Council, Highlands and Islands Enterprise and Nuclear Decommissioning Authority are among organisations contributing towards the £14m.

The decommissioning authority is involved in efforts to create new employment once the Dounreay nuclear power complex near Thurso closes.