Engineering firm creates 100 new jobs in £200m deal
Ross-shire Engineering's agreement with Scottish Water has also helped secure 273 jobs.
A Highland engineering firm has created 100 new jobs after signing a deal with Scottish Water worth up to £200m.
The newly announced agreement has also helped secure 273 existing jobs at Ross-shire Engineering.
The Muir of Ord firm will supply clean drinking water equipment to Scottish Water for the next five years.
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited the company during a trip to the Highlands on Monday.
She said: "Ensuring a strong rural economy is crucial to Scotland's success.
"This funding Ross-Shire Engineering has secured provides a hugely welcome boost in providing skilled jobs and investment across the Highlands, as well as providing vital utility services to Scotland's homes and businesses.
"In particular, I am delighted they will be investing in their already strong apprenticeship job programme, providing vital training and employment to young people living in the Highlands in a competitive jobs market.
"Last week when I set out my programme for government I promised to protect Scotland's interests, particularly our economic interests, in the wake of the EU referendum."
The First Minister's trip to Ross-shire Engineering followed a visit to the Nigg Energy Park on the Cromarty Firth, where she formally unveiled the first turbine at what will become the world's first large-scale tidal energy farm.