Talks on new aircraft for Barra

The Scottish government is in talks with Canadian aircraft manufacturer Viking about finding replacement planes to fly the route to Barra.

The island is served by two Viking Twin Otter aircraft which are approaching the end of their operational life.

The Twin Otter is one of just a handful of planes capable of landing on Barra's beach runway.

Western Isles SNP MSP Alasdair Allan said it was very welcome that negotiations were now under way.