TIME travelling drama Outlander has been credited for helping attract record numbers of tourists to Scotland last year.

Office for National Statistics (OSN) data shows a 17% rise in the number of overseas visitors to 3.2 million.

During the same year, tourist spending increased by almost a quarter (23%) to £2.3 billion.

The figures are the highest since the ONS travel trends survey began in 1961/62.

In contrast across the UK as a whole, the number of European visitors increased by 1% while spending fell by 1%.

The Scottish Government attributed the rise to factors including the popularity of the Scotland-set television series Outlander and digital marketing campaigns by tourism agency VisitScotland.

Locations filmed for the hit drama, which stars Scot Sam Heughan and Caitriona Balfe, include Doune Castle and Rannoch Moor in Perthshire, Blackness Castle in Fort William and Aberdour Castle, Fife. Scenes were also shot in Glasgow City Centre and the West End.

Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “These figures show 2017 was a record year for overseas tourists visiting and spending money in Scotland, which is great news for the industry and our economy.

“Tourism is one of our most important industries, employing 207,000 people, creating jobs, supporting the local economy and building on our strong international reputation.”