Work to build 500 steel pylons to create 70 jobs

The length of the line is planned to be about 106 miles (170km) - carried by steel pylons about 187ft (57m) tall

Work to build 500 steel pylons for overhead electricity lines will create 70 jobs in East Lothian.

It is part of energy firm SSEN Transmission's project to upgrade the electricity grid across the north of Scotland.

The pylons, which will be made by Tranent-based firm Had-Fab, will be used in the proposed new powerline between Spittal in Caithness, in the far north of Scotland, to Beauly, near Inverness.

The plans are seen as critical in moving renewable energy generated in the Highlands to the rest of the UK.

In the last 18 months, Had-Fab has increased its workers from 120 to 197, with most based in East Lothian.

SSEN Transmission plans to upgrade an overhead line near Spittal in Caithness to near Beauly, about 12 miles (19km) west of Inverness.

The length of the line is planned to cover about 106 miles (170km) - carried by steel pylons about 187ft (57m) tall.

The overall value of the pylon work will be more than £100m - the largest award in Had-Fab's history.

Anthony Jones, chief commercial officer of Had-Fab: "These contracts reflect the continuing trust placed in Had-Fab's capabilities and the strength of our commitment to innovation, sustainability, and engineering excellence."

Scottish Secretary Ian Murray said: "This is great news for our country's clean power ambitions, and for more skilled jobs in here in Scotland.

"This work is critical to unlocking Scotland's vast renewable energy potential."

Rob McDonald, managing director of SSEN Transmission, said: "The scale of this work secured by Had-Fab demonstrates the major economic opportunities that are generated by investing to upgrade our electricity transmission infrastructure."