Work to remove the final radioactive fuel elements in the Dounreay nuclear power station has begun, it has been confirmed.
While most of the core fuel was removed after the nuclear fast reactor was closed in 1977, almost two thirds - nearly 1,000 elements - had to be left in place inside after some were found to be swollen and jammed.
The Nuclear Decommissioning Authority (NDA) has now confirmed a team has started working on it after many years of testing remote controlled devices that could be used to do so.
Removing the remaining elements is expected is expected to take about three years, after which work will begin on dismantling the iconic dome shaped reactor which is situated in the north of Scotland, near Thurso in Caithness.
NDA chief executive David Peattie said: "Dealing with this material is one of the highest priorities anywhere for the NDA, not just at Dounreay but across our UK sites.
"The safe and timely retrieval of the breeder material is crucial to both the site's closure programme and the national defueling programme.
"I am very pleased with this achievement which is a great example of how the Dounreay team and the NDA can work together to deliver results of national importance."
Ron Hibbert, senior project manager with the company carrying out the work, Dounreay Site Restoration Limited (DSRL), said: "Reaching this important stage has been a huge achievement by the project team.
"Emptying the reactor vessel of this material is one of the biggest engineering challenges we face in decommissioning the site and it's a great moment for DSRL and our contractors to see their hard work pay off."
ends
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