Three community groups in Inverness-shire have been awarded £1.6 million by SSE, it has been announced.

The money was given at the launch of the energy company's Dunmaglass Wind Farm Community Fund.

It will be split between the communities of Strathnairn, Strathdearn, and Stratherrick and Foyers, totalling £14m over the lifespan of the project.

The 33-turbine scheme, which SSE acquired from RES in May 2013, will have a generating capacity of 94MW.

Representatives from Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust, Strathnairn Community Benefit Fund Ltd and Strathdearn Community Development Company – nominated to receive and distribute the funds – visited Stratherrick Hall to mark the launch on 06 November.

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Highland Council Leader Margaret Davidson and Head of Development Strategy at SSE Renewables, George Baxter also attended.

SSE brought forward the first payments of the scheme due its commitment to begin community benefit payments at the construction phase of its projects.

Mr Baxter, said: "SSE is a responsible developer of renewable energy schemes and that means helping communities that host our renewable developments to realise social and economic benefits that will sustain over time. 

"We look forward to working with each community group to make full use of these funds, and those that will follow, to make a real and lasting difference in their area."

(LM/CD)