A Caithness village is set to be lit up this Christmas for the first time in seven years as residents look forward to the overdue return of its yuletide display.
Spittal has had a distinctly unfestive look as community representatives battled to restore the illuminated decorations alongside the A9 which run through the village.
The problem dates back to 2012 when the then-trunk road contractor replaced the street lights but removed the fittings used to hook up the Christmas lights.
Since then, Halkirk and District Community Council has been trying to find a way to reinstate the display.
Earlier this year, it was told by current contractor BEAR Scotland that the community council would have to foot the costs of new connections and also to cover their insurance.
An impasse developed as the community council believed the contractor should bear the cost.
But yesterday it emerged negotiations have borne fruit and the village, after all, is set to celebrate Christmas in style.
Support from Halkirk District Benefit Fund has enabled the community council to pay for new sockets being fitted to the 21 lamp-posts and the cost of connecting them up by BEAR.
Secretary Linda Levack said yesterday: “It’s been a long haul but we’ve finally got there.
“Fingers crossed, the lights should be up and switched on at the start of next month.”
A BEAR spokesperson said: “Following successful discussions with the community council, we have received and reviewed its application for the installation of festive lighting.
“We have since liaised with their members and arranged our teams to carry out the installation process which is scheduled to take place in the coming weeks.”