Scotland is preparing for a staycation boom, with a record 6.4million holidaymakers expected over the summer.

Estimates suggest around 16million people, a third of all UK adults, are planning a post-lockdown break by September, and around 40 per cent of those are intending to spend time in Scotland.

With about two in five Scots holidaymakers heading for the Highlands, the north could see 2.3million visitors as industry figures fear the region will struggle to cope with the numbers.

Hotspots, including villages along the North Coast 500 route, have already reported overcrowding as provisional data from Google indicates searches using combinations of terms such as visit + Scotland + holiday almost doubled in the past week.

Despite the staycation boom in the countryside, tourism in other regions is struggling due to the continued absence of big-spending international visitors.

However, Inverness hotelier and Highland tourism ambassador Willie Cameron said investment in infrastructure will be crucial if Scotland is to harness the benefits of the staycation boom.