Cromarty Firth harbour plan rejected by government
Plans by Global Energy to create their own harbour at the entrance to the Cromarty Firth have been thrown out by the Scottish government.
Global - who own the Nigg Fabrication Yard - had applied for a Harbour Revision Order last year.
This challenged the Cromarty Firth Port Authority, who control marine traffic in the firth, and sparked a war of words.
The Scottish government threw out the bid on a legal technicality.
Global's move to take control of part of the entrance to the Cromarty Firth has sparked a division between the company, which is one of the largest private employers in the Highlands, and the Cromarty Firth Port Authority.
Global said having control over their own harbour at Nigg would help them bring in more business to the yard.
On Monday, the Scottish Government said Global's application was not legally competent under one section of the Harbours Act.
Bob Buskie, chief executive of the Cromarty Firth Port Authority, said they were delighted with the outcome and would continue to work with the Global Energy group to discuss the company's business ambitions.
A spokesperson for Global Energy said they were disappointed by the decision but welcomed an invitation from Transport Scotland to host a meeting which will "allow us to air our views".