A record 53 cruise liners docked at Invergordon, in Scotland during the summer, injecting the local economy with £7million, the Press and Journal has reported.

Around 49,000 passengers visited the Highlands on 46 liners last year, figures have shown, but this year the influx of liners carried more than 63,000 visitors to the region.

Cruise passengers enjoyed attractions like Loch Ness, Cawdor Castle, Royal Dornoch Golf Club and Glenmorangie Distillery.

Passenger numbers are predicted to rise by 20% next year as 50 large cruise liners are already booked into the port.

The figures emerged as the final liner of the season, the MV Boudicca of Fred Olsen Cruise Lines, docked at the port this week.

With a capacity of 817, the Boudicca is the fourth call by a Fred Olsen liner this year.

The biggest cruise vessel to call at Invergordon this year was the Crown Princess, which visited four times, carrying up to 3,220 passengers on each call.