Bid to harness forest hydro power

Inverlael sits close to Loch Broom in Wester Ross

The power of rivers running through land owned by Forestry Commission Scotland (FSC) could be increasingly harnessed to generate electricity.

It hopes to drum up interest from companies in developing projects to help the Scottish Government meet renewable energy targets.

Environment Minister Roseanna Cunningham announced the move at the opening of the Inverlael Hydro Scheme.

The RWE npower renewables' project is sited near Loch Broom, in Wester Ross.

Ms Cunningham said: "Small scale hydro schemes make an important contribution to our renewable energy capacity and this one at Inverlael, built on the national forest estate, is a good example of how the private sector and Scottish Government can work together to take Scotland towards a greener future."

Other small-scale hydro developments on the national forest estate include Braevallich, near Loch Awe, Garbhaig at Loch Maree and Glenskiagh, near Garve.