The Cromarty Firth Port Authority is looking for permission to transfer millions of tonnes of crude oil from one vessel to another in the middle of the Cromarty Firth.

Campaigners have opposed the idea on the basis that an oil spill during transfers would be catastrophic to the marine environment and the local economy.

However the Cromarty Firth Port Authority has advised it has sufficient procedure in place to prevent the spillage of oil and minimise any spillage to the sea in the event of a problem.

The Moray Firth is home to an array of wildlife including dolphins, whales, porpoises and various other marine and bird life.

The Cromarty Firth Port Authority highlight that the port already has a licence to transfer oil between vessels tied to the quayside at Nigg oil terminal, and this has been performed safely without damage to the local environment.

The authority is now seeking permission from the UK government to conduct ship-to-ship oil transfers further out in the Cromarty Firth.

The application has prompted an outcry of objections from local people and politicians all around the Moray Firth.

The protesters gathered on Nairn beach from about 14:00 on Sunday to highlight the dangers to the marine environment and demonstrate the scale of opposition to the plans all around the firth.