The aim of the freeports is to boost international trade, investment, regeneration and growth in their geographical areas, while contributing to the country’s journey to net zero.

During a visit to Scotland on Friday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announced that the bid by the Opportunity Cromarty Firth consortium, along with the Forth Green Freeport bid, had both been successful.

The consortium included the Port of Cromarty Firth, Global Energy Group, Highlands and Islands Airports Ltd and Port of Inverness, as well as academia, regional businesses and public sector. Anderson Strathern joined the partnership in July 2021 to provide legal support and input into corporate governance issues, the formulation of the project and the final formal bid.

Following its role in the successful bid, the firm is set to continue its work on the project as solicitor to Inverness and Cromarty Firth Green Freeport Limited, the company which will manage the freeport.

Neil Amner, director and specialist in transport and environmental law at Anderson Strathern, said: “Having been involved with this exciting project since summer 2021, we have been anticipating this announcement for a long time, but it has been worth it - it really is a major boost for the firm as well as for the Inverness and Cromarty area.

“We can’t wait to get started with the considerable amount of legal work involved in getting this new initiative off the ground. Being able to help shape the future of one of Scotland’s first green freeports is a fantastic opportunity for us.”