NESSIE’S cousin Morag and “Caribbean-like” beaches are being used to lure Scottish travellers west of a famed Harry Potter landmark.

Scottish tourism bosses have launched a campaign encouraging those admiring the Glenfinnan Viaduct made famous by the Potter films to extend their journey.

The drive is aimed at boosting the Road to the Isles – a historic stretch of road connecting Fort William to Mallaig.

Released using the hashtag #MyRoadtotheIsles, tourists are being encouraged to “explore beyond the bridge” and shine a light on other attractions in the region.

Chair of Road to the Isles marketing group Sine MacKellaig-Davis said: “Whilst some 350,000 tourists visited the Glenfinnan Viaduct and monument before Covid, a large percentage of those didn’t extend their visit west, and missed out on the large variety of arts, culture, wildlife, beaches, sunsets and sights found beyond the bridge.

“The viaduct and monument are incredible sights to see and we’re extremely fortunate that tourists flock to see it, but there is so much more to the region.

The National:

“As we start to move in the right direction following a tough year for tourism and hospitality, we want people to travel the road less travelled, spend some more time immersed in the true West Highland culture, and discover the abundance of hidden gems on the coast.”

Areas highlighted in the campaign include community-owned Knoydart, the archipelago of islands that include Rum, Eigg, Muck and Canna, and Loch Morar in the Lochaber area, said to be inhabited by “Nessie’s lesser-known cousin, Morag”.

Road to the Isles is being spearheaded by CalMac Ferries and directed by the Road to the Isles marketing group.

Making its case, the campaign says: “White sandy beaches, crystal clear waters, sprawling glens and some of the most spectacular scenery in the world – no, it is not the Caribbean, it’s the west coast of Scotland.

“With travel now allowed in the UK and people desperate to get away following a stressful year, staycations and domestic travel are the new norm for 2021. Road to the Isles offers the ultimate paradise getaway, and a holiday worth taking.”