The Press and Journal's new Highland office in Inverness has been officially opened by First Minister Jack McConnell.

Staff and invited guests gathered to celebrate the paper's move to a purpose-built building in the new Stoneyfield business park, where the first minister described the Press and Journal as an "institution, not just in the north and north-east, but Scotland and the UK".

The first minister declares the offices officially open

He said: "This is a special time in the Highlands and islands and the right time to be moving into a new office and a new era."

The new purpose-built accommodation at Stoneyfield replaces the offices in Academy Street, Inverness, which had been open for 27 years.

Mr McConnell with P&J editor Derek Tucker, Aberdeen Journals managing director Alan Scott, assistant managing director Allan Smith and Northcliffe Newspapers Group property director Ken Thompson

The decision to move was prompted by a lack of space to grow, with the newspaper's three main divisions, editorial, newspaper sales and advertising, housed in cramped offices on separate floors.

Almost 40 staff have transferred to the new headquarters, which boasts two spacious floors as well as well-equipped conference and meeting rooms.