DESPITE the largely inclement weather of the ill-predicted barbecue summer, the greatest percentage increase in visitor numbers across Scotland was experienced at attractions in the Borders.
In August, 76,293 people were recorded at the region's 27 accredited visitor attractions, from abbeys to historic homes, museums to gardens, compared to 62,881 during the same month of the previous year – a hike of 21 per cent against a Scotland-wide
rise of 10.9 per cent.
In the six months to August, visitor numbers hit 338,000 in the region, against the 297,345 for the corresponding period of 2008. Again, it is the most marked hike in Scotland (13.7 per cent) where the average increase was four per cent.
The figures contrast sharply with neighbouring Dumfries and Galloway, where visitor numbers in August fell by 0.2 per cent.
Shetland proved the second most popular region with 20 per cent more people enjoying the island's attractions compared to 2008.
The statistics are revealed in the August visitor attraction barometer, commissioned by national tourism agency VisitScotland, and carried out by the Moffat Centre for Travel and Tourism in Glasgow.
"Given the challenging economic conditions, the figures for August and the year to date can be seen as encouraging," said a VisitScotland spokesperson.
Clearly the weather since will have an effect, boosting visits to indoor attractions, while the tourist numbers generated by the Homecoming events in the Borders in September have still to be assessed.
Anecdotal evidence given by clients of tourism operators said an increase in UK visitors had had a positive impact on the success of local visitor attractions.
