A student has been appointed to examine the impact of the Dounreay nuclear complex on the north of Scotland in a new academic research project.
Linda Ross, from Tain, has secured the three-year PhD studentship.
She will look at what effects the experimental nuclear power site has had on nearby Thurso and surrounding areas.
Established in the 1950s, Dounreay's buildings - including its landmark sphere - are being demolished and the site cleaned up.
The PhD is a collaborative doctoral partnership between Historic Environment Scotland and the University of the Highlands and Islands.