A charitable organisation that aims to protect the heritage of battlefields is calling for the Scottish Government to reverse a decision to allow a housing development to be built close to an historic site.

The Battlefields Trust is opposing the building of houses near Culloden Moor, where the Jacobite dream of replacing the House of Hanover on the British throne died amid the blood of nearly 2000 men in 1746.

Highland Council previously refused Inverness Properties' plan to build 16 homes at Viewhill Farm, but following an appeal, a Scottish Government-appointed reporter approved it with conditions.

Frank Baldwin, chairman of the Battlefields Trust, said: "We see this as the thin end of the wedge. Allowing houses there risks giving a green light to developers to push through plans to build inappropriately on battlefield brownfield land.

"Visitors don't want to see modern urban sprawl destroying their views and disrupting their understanding of Scottish battlefields."

Inverness Properties insists their plan will enhance the surroundings. A Scottish Government spokesman said the reporter had followed the proper appeal process and the development was not expected to have an adverse impact on the integrity of the battlefield.