Is it a bird? No. Is it a plane? No. It is in fact a flying crane carrying the first of dozens of new ‘plastic’ electricity pylons for installation in Morayshire.
The helicopter (left) lifts the fibreglass reinforced polymer poles to crews who guide them into foundations.
Perth-based utility Scottish and Southern Energy is using the helicopter to connect the Dorenell wind farm, near Dufftown, to a substation near Keith, where the cables carrying electricity from the £2.6 billion Moray Firth wind farm arrive onshore.
The plastic poles are taller than wooden poles and have a life expectancy of more than 80 years.

22 Feb 2018