While visitors to Scotland have decreased over the past year, spending has seen a sharp increase, according to official figures.

According to the Office of National Statistics, spending by overseas visitors was up by 22 per cent while visitor numbers saw a decrease of nine per cent.

The total number of foreign and domestic visitors to Scotland saw an overall increase by seven per cent compared to the same time last year, with an overall spend increase of six per cent.

Domestic visits to the country saw an increase of 10 per cent on the start of 2012, with domestic spending also seeing a slight increase.

Visitors from North America and Europe both fell, however visits from emerging markets such as India are beginning to rise.

Scotland's Tourism Development Agency has started an online and social marketing campaign linked to broadcasting, which started with the airing of BBC Scotland's Hebrides nature programmes.

The Agency is also spending £400,000 on TV advertisements to be aired on both NBC in the USA and on Sky Sports in the UK, showcasing Scottish golf, linked with the Scottish Open at Castle Stuart.