PICTURES: Highland Council pull the plug on Whin Park pond in Inverness for clean-up and to remove invasive weed

Moves to empty a pond in a popular Inverness leisure park began today.

Highland Council staff, using large water-pumping equipment, began the drainage work this morning in heavy rain.

The aim is to complete a clean-up of the area and to manage and control an invasive non-native weed species found in the pond.

A council spokesman explained that the pond would be fully cleaned, with all debris removed and responsibly disposed of.

He said: “Due to leisure uses of the pond, it’s important that the council manages the weed to stop it getting spread by people, birds and dogs accidentally to other sites.

"These works are part of the development of the Whin Park refurbishment programme which requires replacement of the existing play equipment which is nearing end of life.

"Once cleaned, repaired and refilled, the popular Whin Park boating activity on the pond will resume its well-loved summer seasonal service."

Temporary fencing and signs warning of the works are in place, but the public can still access the rest of the park.

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