"The long-awaited go ahead for the power line, which will stretch from Beauly near Inverness to Denny near Falkirk on pylons up to 65m high, is expected to kickstart a huge overhaul of the UK's electricity network at a cost of up to £4.7bn.
The decision was applauded by the renewable energy industry and backed by many leading environment groups. They said the new line, which will be upgraded from 132kV to 400kV, was essential for plans to ramp up the output from wind, wave and tidal power projects, often best located in remote parts of the UK, and deliver it to the cities where most people lived."
Some environmental and preservation groups blasted the plan, which they say will spoil much of the Scottish Highlands.
