An acclaimed island wildlife watching spot has gained another top honour.
The Mull Eagle Watch project has scooped the prestigious five star wildlife experience award from VisitScotland.
Jane Candlish
The award is given to “exceptional” attractions that offer top customer care and facilities.
Mull Eagle Watch received the highest award partly due to the “involved and comprehensive experience” that the Mull Eagle Watch rangers provide.
The honour follows the project’s recent gold rating in the UK-wide Green Tourism Business Scheme.
Mull’s eagles are a major draw for tourists to the islands and are estimated to generate up to £5million towards the local economy.
Project spokeswoman Rachel French said: “We are all delighted and so pleased that all the hard work from the volunteers and partners has been recognised so positively.
“The white tailed eagles are truly fantastic birds to see in the wild – once seen never forgotten. The project is a great example of how green tourism can flourish well and support rural economies and communities at the same time.”
Mull Eagle Watch is a partnership between Forestry Commission Scotland, RSPB Scotland, Mull & Iona Community Trust, Police Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage.
This is the third year running that the wildlife project, based on the National Forest Estate, has been awarded a five star tourism rating.
The project hit the headlines earlier this year when a young sea eagle chick was pushed out of its nest by an intruding eagle.
Viewers of the webcam feared for the bird however the youngster successfully fledged and was later seen perched in nearby Forestry Commission Scotland woodland.