HISTORIC tourist attractions on Orkney have seen a rise in visitor numbers over the last year.
Figures show the Iron Age settlement, Broch of Gurness, saw more than 4,000 visitors, a 36% rise since June 2016, while the Maeshowe chambered cairn, a Heart of Neolithic Orkney World Heritage site, attracted 7,597 people - up 14%.
Six sites across Orkney had an 8% rise in visitor numbers, with around 41,500 people visiting Historic Environment Scotland's staffed sites.
The Scottish Government said the islands are a "magnet for tourists" interested in the country's historic environment.
In Kirkwall to attend the St Magnus Festival, International Development Minister Alasdair Allan, said: "2017 celebrates the richness of Scotland's intriguing history, impressive cultural heritage and fascinating archaeology. Orkney boasts all of this and so much more.
"We want to support businesses involved in the Scottish tourism industry to make the most of the opportunities they create, ensuring they are sustainable and make a positive impact on the environment, society and economy."
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