SSE is to redevelop two historic buildings at Wick Harbour as part of the £2.6 billion Beatrice Offshore Windfarm Ltd (BOWL) project.

The harbour has been selected as the project's Operations and Maintenance base as it is located close to Beatrice's 84 offshore wind turbines and has suitable quayside facilities.

The base will be required for the 25-year lifespan of the project.

Subject to receiving planning permission, the facility is set to be housed in two partial blocks of Lower Pulteneytown on Wick's Harbour Quay.

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Designed by Scottish engineer Thomas Telford, the iconic buildings were originally developed for the British Fisheries society in 1807.

SSE said BOWL's proposal to redevelop the buildings is "in keeping with their past" as they were designed, planned and built as an industrial marine development.

Members of the local community were invited to view BOWL's proposed plans for the buildings at Mackays Hotel last week.

Noel Cummins, SSE's Project Liaison Manager, said: "These Thomas Telford buildings are a symbol of Wick's industrial and marine past so we are really pleased to propose utilising them and in doing so help continue that legacy.

"The event was very well attended and it was great to hear such support for our proposals from local residents."

(LM/JP)