Highlands makes it into tourist guide's top 10

INVERNESS and the Highlands are world beaters – and that’s official.

Lonely Planet has named the Highlands and Islands one of the 10 top regions of the world to visit in 2019.

The area joins such spectacular destinations as Manitoba in Canada, Northern Peru and Piedmont in Italy as one of Lonely Planet’s must-see destinations for next year.

The hugely-influential Best in Travel list is drawn from nominations among Lonely Planet’s vast community of editors, researchers and locals. These are then ranked by a panel of judges.

The region earned its place thanks in part to the whisky boom which has seen a swathe of new distilleries open.

Lonely Planet said they offer "a great introduction to one of the wildest, least inhabited and most scenic parts of Europe".

It also hailed a number of "unmissable experiences" – including dolphin spotting, the climb up Suilven in Sutherland and the region’s sought-after seafood.

A 10-day itinerary it has drawn up for tourists includes visits to Culloden Battlefield, monster spotting on Loch Ness, and the CalMac ferry journey between Stornoway and Ullapool.

Tom Hall, Lonely Planet’s editorial director, said: "The wild landscapes of Scotland’s Highlands and islands offer the ultimate escape and visiting the region’s remote areas is now easier than ever thanks to impressive developments in accommodation.

"This is a stunning area with so much to offer travellers, from its glorious natural landscape and rich history to enviable local food and drink."

The Highlands and islands feature fifth on the list of top regions, coming in ahead of Russia’s far east, Gujarat in India, Manitoba, Normandy in France and the Elqui Valley in Chile.

Business chiefs were delighted to hear the news, and said it would be a big boost to efforts to make the area a year-round tourist destination, and not just one that draws crowds in the summer.

"To those of us who live in and visit the Highlands and Islands it will perhaps come as no surprise, but recognition such as this is very welcome indeed," said David Richardson, the Federation of Small Businesses’ development manager for the region.

"What matters now is that we work to promote all the best the region has to offer and to increase visits outwith the season, as well as all the places that they can visit."

Highland Council leader Margaret Davidson also welcomed the "splendid accolade."

She said: "The fact that this endorsement comes from such a globally-recognised and trusted travel publisher as Lonely Planet will undoubtedly boost the area’s profile on a global stage and encourage more visitors to come and experience a true Highland welcome."

Piedmont in Italy, home to new Unesco heritage sites, took the top spot in the 10 must-see regions.