Highland castle visitor numbers fortify

One of the largest castles in the Highlands has witnessed a huge growth in visitor numbers since tourists began flocking to the region for the North Coast 500.

Dunrobin Castle in Golspie, which dates back to the early 1300s and is the most northerly of Scotland’s great houses, has enjoyed its highest number of visitors for two decades.

Scott Morrison, managing director at the castle, said: “In our opinion, the North Coast 500 has been a huge success and we have seen a noticeable increase in visitor numbers to the castle since it launched.

“We are currently around 12,000 ahead of our visitor numbers from this time last year with just under 73,000 people visiting in 2016.

“This has smashed a 20year-old record for us, and is largely due to the North Coast 500.

“The North Coast 500 has brought excitement and buzz to the Highlands which we haven’t seen before.

“We are now talking to visitors who are doing the route almost on a daily basis.

“It is encouraging to see the difference the North Coast 500 is making to the economy of local communities with many businesses now talking about extending their season thanks to more people than ever visiting the Highlands during the winter months.”

The category A-listed Dunrobin Castle, the family seat of the Clan Sutherland, recently lodged plans to create a new craft distillery, tasting room, shop and warehouse on its grounds.

LURING THE PUNTERS: The recent success of Dunrobin Castle has been largely attributed to the North Coast tourist route