Designers are urged to compete for work on an ambitious water taxi project in Perth.
The bid to boost tourism by creating a series of riverfront pontoons along the Tay took a leap forward as Perth and Kinross Council put the work out to tender.
The local authority is searching for businesses to design and construct three berthing points at the Fergusson Gallery, the Willowgate Fishery and Elcho Castle.
Last year, the UK Government set aside £600,000 for the installation of the landing stages.
The contract work, expected to be completed over a 28-week period by the end of October, has an estimated value of between £420,000 and £450,000.
Tenders should be submitted by midday on March 11.
A council spokesman said: “The pontoons will enable access to the river and provide an infrastructure for recreational use. The type of vessels using these pontoons will be river taxis and leisure yachts.”
All three pontoons have already secured planning permission.
Project leaders are also considering a possible future link to the new V&A at Dundee.
At Willowgate, the sailing community had raised concerns about the size of the pontoon.
But councillors heard the installation would be significantly shorter than 100ft and it would not hinder harbour or recreational activities by crossing any established navigational channel.
In a report to councillors, development quality manager Nick Brian said: “This proposal, in combination with the other pontoon proposals at Elcho Castle and Fergusson Gallery, would create an exciting river taxi facility that will promote tourism and the surrounding areas.”
Historic Scotland has broadly welcomed the plan at Elcho Castle but has asked for further talks on access arrangements and their impact on the 16th Century tower house.
The vision, as set out in the Inner Tay Masterplan, is also to create a park and sail facility, with footpaths and cycle routes linking to Walnut Grove, where a £1.5 million park and ride scheme has been proposed.
The estimated cost of creating a tourist corridor and leisure resource along the Tay is expected to be around £9m.