Historic battlefields across Scotland are to be given more protection.

A list of the country's most important battlegrounds is being drawn up and is expected to be complete by 2011.

Councils will then have to consider a site's history when deciding planning applications, although building on battlefields will not be forbidden.

The scheme was officially unveiled on the 320th anniversary of the Battle of Killiecrankie, the first major battle of the Jacobite Risings.