Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) has officially taken over the lease of the Arnish yard, on the outskirts of Stornoway.

On Monday the Stornoway Trust - who own the land and buildings - granted approval to the Assignation of the existing Lease from SYT Trading Ltd to HIE, allowing for the redevelopment of the yard.  The Lease, which runs until 2034, covers 48 hectares of land with buildings.

The approval of the Assignation by the Stornoway Trust marks a significant step forward in HIE and Western Isles Enterprise's (WIE) plans to bring the former oil fabrication yard back into use.

WIE is investing £7.35m in the redevelopment of Arnish which includes the refurbishment of the main fabrication workshop for the manufacture of wind turbines by Welsh company, Cambrian Engineering.  This particular project is set to create around 65 jobs for the Western Isles.

Other work on the site will involve the replacement of services to Arnish and upgrading works to the quayside infrastructure.

Chief executive of Western Isles Enterprise, Donnie Macaulay said: "The redevelopment of the Arnish yard into a multi-user industrial estate is a major project for WIE and one which is set to breath new life into our economy.

"The signing over of the Lease to HIE marks the beginning of a new chapter for Arnish and we look forward to work starting very soon, with Cambrian Engineering set to start production at the site early next year."

Iain Maciver of the Stornoway Trust said: "The Stornoway Trust welcomes the timely intervention of the Enterprise Network and will be pleased to participate in an exciting initiative which will hopefully bring lasting benefits to our community."