The historic Highlands town of Thurso could be set to be stripped of its conservation status due to much of the town's historic areas having been lost to development.
The Medieval quarter of the town, in Caithness, dates back to the 12th Century, with buildings such as Old St Peter's Kirk, the earliest Christian building in the area, being given A-listed status. It was the chapel of the Bishop of Caithness when he was at his summer residence at Scrabster.
Highland Council is consulting on potential changes but believes much of the old quarter has already been lost to development. Thurso's importance as a port dates back to the Norse period, with trade continuing with Europe until the 19th century.
