ACCOMMODATION providers, restaurants, bars and visitor attractions are currently enjoying a few bumper weeks over the Christmas and New Year time.

But it is a long wait for most with November and most of December a write-off in terms of visitors, particularly given there has been no early ski season this time round unlike the past two years.

However, the Highlands is about to get the kind of global publicity that money simply can not buy - the region will be the backdrop for the movie "Brave".

The 3D computer-animated fantasy adventure film featuring the voices of Juile Walters, Billy Connolly, Kelly Macdonald, Robbie Coltrane and a host of other Scottish stars is due to be released in the United States on June 22, next year, and then around the world.

It's being made and released by Disney Pixar, the same team who have spawned some of the highest grossing films of all time - the likes of Toy Story, Cars, UP, WALL-E and Finding Nemo - which between them have raked in billions.

The Scottish Government, VisitScotland, and, of course, tourism businesses themselves in the strath must be ready waiting to give the warmest of Highland welcomes to the hundreds of thousands of people who will visit from every corner of the world because of "Brave".

Such is the magic of Disney. It's probably the biggest thing that will ever happen to the Scottish tourism industry and the region itself short of Nessie deciding to go for a stroll along the shores of her loch.

CONGRATULATIONS to Elise Barr and her beau Ross Pattison following their Christmas Day engagement in Newtonmore.

Not even the Scottish weather could dampen their joy.

Ross told the "Strathy" that he wanted to have a backdrop of snow or fog for the proposal but instead he got gales.

Still he did not let that take the wind out of his sails. Elise said "Yes" having reached the end of the trail to find him on bended knee.

As for when the couple will tie a knot in said string, they have not yet set a date.