One throw of the dice, and Loch Ness could be yours

INVERNESS Caley Thistle, Loch Ness and Ben Nevis are among the top attractions in Scotland to make it on to the new Highlands and Islands edition of the popular board game Monopoly launched today.

Loch Ness came out top in an online poll, taking the board's most prestigious property slot - occupied in the traditional version of the game by London's exclusive Mayfair.

The rugged beauty of Skye, Mull and the Callanish Stones on Lewis replace the somewhat more gritty locations of the Angel Islington, Euston Road and Pentonville Road.

After thousands of suggestions from the public, the final list was whittled down to just over 30 sites, including the shinty club Culloden and a shopping centre.

The manufacturers of the game, which tests players' financial acumen and property dealing skills, said the demand from those living in the north of Scotland for their own game had been "overwhelming".

Graham Barnes, spokesman for Winning Moves UK, the company with the licence to produce Monopoly, said: "We had people from the Highlands and Islands coming to us asking for their own game. They had been on our radar for some time.

"But it was a massive undertaking for just over 30 spaces, when the area had hundreds and thousands of landmarks and streets.

"We solved the problem by asking them to vote in general for their favourite places and then place the more high-profile ones on the board.

The response was overwhelming - the best we've ever had for a game situated in a particular location or town.

"Loch Ness was the outright, unrivalled winner in the poll but the rest were closely contested."

Mr Barnes added that he expected the 24.99 game would be a favourite at Christmas, especially with the overseas market of expat Scots in countries such as Australia, New Zealand and Canada.

"We have had inquiries already from Scots living abroad and we expect this game to be on many dining tables on Christmas Day."

David Bremner, director of the Loch Ness Centre and Exhibition, said the game would help bring visitors in to the Highlands.

"We are delighted that Loch Ness has been chosen to represent the Mayfair site on the new official Highlands and Islands version of Monopoly," he said.

"Every year our beautiful area continues to draw hundreds of thousands of visitors from all over the world and all of us here feel very honoured to fill this most prestigious space.

"It's great promotion for the area - and great news for the length and breadth of the Highlands."

The Scotsman newspaper also features on the board.