Scottish and Southern Electricity Networks (SSEN) has started dismantling a 40km stretch of overhead power lines in the Cairngorms National Park.

The works will see 120 steel transmission towers removed as part of the final phase of the Beauly-Denny transmission project.

Previous works to remove 53km of overhead line from the eastern approach to the National was completed in 2012, early in the construction of the new 220km Beauly-Denny line.

New underground electricity distribution cables have now been installed to enable the removal of this further section of overhead line by replacing its role in powering local communities.

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A further 10km of 132 kilovolt overhead line has been installed to replace underground cable in Perthshire. Approximately 6km of overhead line has also been removed in the vicinity of Beauly substation.

Lead Project Manager Donnie Scobie said: "The initial focus of our work is the section of overhead line between Boat of Garten and Aviemore, which includes locations where we need to avoid potential disturbance to capercaillie or ospreys during the breeding season.

"The work we are carrying out will bring a permanent improvement to one of Scotland's most important landscapes, but we also need to minimise any short term impacts on local people and the environment.

"Our environmental team and our contractors are working closely with the Cairngorms National Park Authority and Scottish Natural Heritage to ensure the right measures are in place to do that."

(LM/MH)