A long-awaited flood defences programme to protect a high-risk Perthshire community could begin within weeks.
A top civil engineering firm has struck a deal to carry out the first phase of a £14.7 million operation at Almondbank.
Over the last 20 years the village and the nearby hamlet of Lochty have been hit repeatedly by serious flooding problems.
Now Perth and Kinross Council has awarded the £700,000 contract for stage one of the operation to Glasgow-based Mackenzie Construction. The work is due to begin on site this winter, with future phases likely to start late next year or in early 2016.
The job involves a clearance of the area, creation of reinforced concrete flood walls, rock armour and a pumping station at the nearby Vector Aerospace plant.
As well as work at the riverside, the village playing field will be modified to act as a flood storage area and a replacement for the community sports pavilion will be built as part of the plan. The Scottish Government has agreed to a contribution of £11.6m towards the scheme.
The council said the plan will have a minimal impact on the environment.
The 1993 floods were considered to be the worst of three recent events, with the Black Bridge over the Almond being washed away.
Residents had to endure further flooding in 1999, when torrential downpours led to mud and water lying on the Almondbank playing fields. Debris was scattered all the way to the former Defence Aviation Repair Agency and the Black Bridge was closed.
The protection plan was agreed after further floods in 2011.
A study of the area found that there was a “high risk” of future problems.
Construction of the defences plan should take two years to complete, said a council spokeswoman. A £200,000 groundwork investigation is also being carried out to gather vital geological details before any work can take place.