Visitors flock to the Castle

EDINBURGH Castle has enjoyed its busiest-ever month, attracting more than 200,000 visitors in July.

A total of 203,940 people visited the attraction last month, a 19 per cent increase on last year and the highest monthly total since records began.

The busiest day was July 19, which saw more than 8000 visitors - the first time in three years that figure had been reached during a 24-hour period.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "This is very welcome news. Edinburgh Castle is a global icon, as well as Scotland's number one tourist attraction, and it continues to draw increasing numbers of visitors from around the world."