Scottish and Southern Energy (SSE) has confirmed it has begun consultations about another major hydro scheme above Loch Ness.  

The company proposes to build a plant that could produce six times more power than the Glendoe development near Fort Augustus which was opened by the Queen.

The planned site is on the Balmacaan Estate, between Drumnadrochit and Invermoriston.

It would require a dam and a new reservoir to be built.

Glendoe, built at a cost of £140m, had to close in August after a major rock fall in the tunnel and is not expected to be back online until next year.

When it generates to its maximum level for 24 hours it can produce 100 megawatts - enough electricity to power about 250,000 homes.