Plans to run a high-voltage cable through the Scottish countryside strong enough to power almost 700,000 homes have been given the go-ahead by officials, despite fears salmon stock could be hit by electromagnetic fields.

The superconnector links one of the world's largest offshore windfarms with the National Grid.

It transports electricity generated by the 187 wind turbines which will be installed in the Moray Firth as part of a flagship offshore windfarm development by Moray Offshore Renewables Ltd to land. The cable comes onshore next to Inverboydie, near Banff, on the North-east coast, and stretches 20 miles to New Deer, Aberdeenshire. The firm claims the three windfarms will generate enough electricity to power up to 690,000 homes.