Scotland's storm damage harbours awarded £1m for repairs

Enormous waves battered towns along the coast of the North Sea

Scottish harbours damaged by the recent storms are to receive an additional £1m for emergency repairs.

Ports in the Highlands - Wick, Balintore, Lybster and Portmahomack - and north east of Scotland - Peterhead and Lossiemouth - are receiving the bulk of the money, as well as Dunbar.

Damage and costs at Fraserburgh harbour are also being assessed.

Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead said the Scottish government was doing its part in the clean up.

He said: "When I, and other Scottish Ministers, visited harbours around Scotland in the aftermath of the recent storms, the extent of the damage which had been caused was clearly evident.

"However what was also evident was the reaction of those affected and the sense of community spirit on show in the clean up work.

"To do our part, the Scottish government has been working closely with the local authorities and agencies to assess the full impact and I would like to thank all those involved for their hard work.

"This funding will go towards vital walls and piers and ensure the harbours will be repaired as quickly as possible."

The emergency harbour scheme takes its powers from the 1955 Fisheries Act.