WATCH: Timelapse video shot by student captures moment in history of Cromarty Firth as giant Hutton TLP is moved to Invergordon in 36-hour operation

A QUICK-THINKING student has created a stunning time lapse video capturing the end of an era in the Cromarty Firth.

The giant Hutton tension leg platform that has stood sentinel in the Cromarty Firth for 12 years – a structure known to some simply as 'the legs' – was moved over the weekend from its berth overlooking Cromarty to the Queen's Dock at Invergordon where it will be recycled.

The 30,000 tonne structure, which is 48 metres high, was in operation for 20 years in the Hutton oilfield between Shetland and Norway, before being decommissioned and returned to the Cromarty Firth in 2009.

The hull was built at Highland Fabricators in Nigg and the deck section was built at the McDermott yard in Ardersier. The two sections were assembled in the Moray Firth off Findhorn.

Aimee Harper, who studies cinematography, was staying at the family home so she could obtain her full Civil Aviation Authority drone licence at Banchory.

Her father, Phil, said: "We had been over to Rosemarkie to photograph the dolphins on Saturday and on our way back to Newhall Point we noticed the Hutton legs being moved, so she quickly set up her iPhone on our window sill and set it to time lapse. Unfortunately the phone fell over halfway through. She did want to crop the video to take out our front garden but unfortunately didn't have time as she had to rush back to England."

The process of lifting the 500 tonnes of chains and anchors and towing the platform five miles to Invergordon took 36 hours and involved six tugs accompanied by a rescue boat.

The structure will now be recycled over the next 12 months

Nerida, an offshore oil and gas transport specialist, along with its partner Messiah Decommissioning acquired the Hutton from its previous owners in 2021.

Messiah Decommissioning will take over decommissioning operations on-site.

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