Granite standing stones weighing 10-15tonnes each and taken from Park Quarry, Nairn, mark the start of the creation of the new town of Tornagrain, between Inverness and Nairn in Scotland.

As Lord Moray explained at the unveiling of the stones: “Standing stones have been part of the landscape for many centuries in Scotland, particularly in the North. We thought this would be an appropriate way to mark the start of what is very much a new community, but one which builds upon the best traditions of design over past centuries in some of our best-loved communities.” The masterplan for the development was created by US architect Andres Duany. It will take 50-60 years to build the new town, which will house more than 10,000 people.

More than 100 people witnessed the unveiling of the stones by John Stuart, Earl of Moray, Fergus Ewing, the Scottish Minister for Business, Energy & Tourism, and Cllr Helen Carmichael, Provost of Inverness. Each guest at the ceremony was given a small stone, carved with their initials, that they laid around the standing stones as part of the unveiling ceremony.