Faster broadband connections will on be available in Orkney and Shetland and the north of Scotland after the announcement of a new fibre link which will run north from Inverness.

BT is investing £8 million in the project, which is expected to be operational next year. It it will carry all broadband traffic between the Northern Isles and the mainland, but the existing microwave radio links that serve Orkney and Shetland will be kept for back-up.

Almost 620 miles of fibre cable, including 250 miles subsea, will be used in the link, making it one of the longest systems in the UK.

Brendan Dick, director, BT Scotland, said: "This demonstrates BT's ongoing commitment to the Highlands and Islands."