Work has started as part of a significant investment by Scottish Water to deliver an improved water supply for Gobhaig and Huisinis in North Harris.

Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has granted planning consent for a new Water Treatment Works (WTW) and water storage tank to serve customers in the two communities.

Taken together with 3.7 miles of new water main, the total investment value of the project is expected to be around £4.5million.

The first element of the work which has started on site is the installation of the new water mains, which is being carried out by civil engineering contractor Duncan Mackay and Sons.

Scottish Water's main contractor Ross-shire Engineering is making final preparations to start work on site for the new WTW and storage tank. The WTW building itself is being built and partially commissioned off-site at Ross-shire Engineering's specialist factory in Muir of Ord, before delivery to its long term home later in the year.

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Scottish Water Project Manager Kathy Auld said: "We are very pleased to reach this important milestone in the delivery of our project to provide an improved water supply for our customers in Gobhaig and Huisinis.

"Our plans make use of the existing good quality local water source from the unnamed Loch near Cnoc Mor, which already supplies customers in Gobhaig.

"The new WTW will be able to produce up to 20,000 litres of clear, fresh drinking water every day, removing the need for additional water to be regularly supplied by road tanker. There is capacity to support higher seasonal demand from visitors and enable new connections in the area, with potential to add more in future if it is required.

"I would like to thank the North Harris Trust, Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and local residents for working with us in the development of these plans. We will continue to work closely with them over the months ahead to deliver the long term benefits of our project for the local area, while minimising short term disruption as far as we can."