Will area get early Christmas gift from government?

Jobs, investment and boosts for local businesses will come if Opportunity Cromarty Firth is chosen as one of Scotland's winning green freeport bids.

It is among five contenders for two deals that have been hailed as potential game-changers for the area.

This morning, The Sunday Times, is reporting that Prime Minister Rishi Sunak is expected to visit Scotland soon to announce the winning bids.

Two months ago at the Conservative Party conference, Scottish secretary Alister Jack said that an announcement will be made imminently because the successful Scottish bids had been “decided” but political turmoil in Westminster led to delays.

If the Prime Minister travels north to be part of the announcement, it is understood to be his first visit to Scotland since he took up the role at the end of October.

• Two Scottish green freeport winners ‘decided’ but not yet revealed

• Political decision-makers receive a 'stark warning'

The Highland bid – which includes involvement of Cromarty Firth Port Authority, Port of Inverness and Inverness Airport among several other local organisations – is believed to be one of the frontrunners, along with a consortium for the Firth of Forth.

Other bids represent Aberdeen, Clyde and Orkney.

• WATCH: The UK may 'fail' to make its net zero targets without a Highland green freeport

• WATCH: A Highland green freeport is as much about equality as revenue

The green freeport concept – a zoned area of low taxation funded by seed cash to target renewable energy and redevelopment – is considered potentially transformational.

Decisions about which bids are successful will be made jointly by the Scottish and UK governments.

Do you want to respond to this article? If so, click here to submit your thoughts and they may be published in print.