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Scottish law firm Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie (WJM) is to merge with Inverness solicitors MacArthur & Co.

WJM said the move, which will come into effect on 1 February, would strengthen its presence in the Highlands and Islands.

The new firm will have 24 partners, 51 fee earners and 43 employees across its three offices in Glasgow, Edinburgh and Inverness.

It will have a combined turnover of more than £7m.

All MacArthur & Co employees are joining the merged practice and will be accommodated in new offices in Inverness from early next year.

MacArthur & Co's existing practice includes residential conveyancing and estate agency services across the Highlands, together with wills, executry administration and powers of attorney.

These will be combined with WJM's full range of legal services including corporate, commercial, family business, renewable energy and employment expertise.

Angus MacLeod, a corporate partner at WJM's Inverness office, said: "Both firms have ambitions to grow the business and provide our clients with continuity of service and access to a wider range of expert legal services.

"These will be delivered by people with local knowledge who live and work in the Highlands with the support of the additional resources and infrastructure of WJM."

The deal is the latest in a series of mergers involving Scottish firms over the past 18 months.

Last month Simpson & Marwick announced it was merging with global legal business Clyde & Co.

In 2014, Dundas and Wilson merged with international law firm CMS, while Aberdein Considine completed a merger with Stirling-based Muirhead Buchanan.

Harper Macleod also announced a tie-up with solicitors Bird Semple, while Thorntons merged with leading Fife solicitors Murray Donald and Cupar legal firm Steel Eldridge Stewart.