SCOTLAND has outshone Italy, South Africa and New Zealand to be crowned the world’s most beautiful country by readers of a respected travel guide for the first time.
Emphasising its “wild beaches, deep lochs and craggy castles”, the poll for Rough Guides also highlighted its “wonderful and beautiful sights”.
Scotland polled ahead of Canada and New Zealand were placed second and third respectively.
Edinburgh’s Old Town, Stirling Castle, Glen Coe and the beaches of South Harris are among the places recommended to visitors in The Rough Guides’ book.
Herald View: Scotland is beautiful but let's try to keep it that way
The shock result was welcomed by tourism organisation Visit Scotland which said it would provide a further pull to visitors who have been flocking to the country.
Spokeswoman Barbara Clark said: “Scotland has won a few accolades over years, usually for its natural landscapes or its people and it’s really good to see the country topping a poll for its beauty and wide open spaces.
“We have seen a growth in international visitors this year, particularly from America. Part of that is that the exchange rate is good for visitors, that has made a huge difference.”
Travel writer and broadcaster Cameron McNeish said Scotland deserved the accolade but warned that developments in some remote areas could spoil some landscapes.
“I think it’s the wonderful diversity of landscape that we have in Scotland that makes it so special,” he said. “Take for example the different characteristics of the Cairngorms and the Skye Cuillin, yet they are only half a day’s car travel apart.
“Much the same could be said of Torridon and the Trossachs or the wonderful landscapes of the far North-West compared with the massive, empty acres of the Caithness Flow Country.”
But he warned: “Sadly our wild land areas are being despoiled continually by windfarm development, hydro development, hundreds of new bulldozed tracks crossing the summits and the mono-culture of the grouse shooting industry.
“If Scotland is thought to be the most beautiful country in the world then we have to protect that beauty, not tarnish it in the name of economic development.”
Herald View: Scotland is beautiful but let's try to keep it that way
A Scottish Government spokeswoman said its policies ensure developments are sited at appropriate locations.
But while there is a need to pursue Scotland’s “vast potential” as renewable energy producer, she added, it must be done in a way that protects the country’s “magnificent natural environment”.
Here are images from around Scotland submitted by Herald readers.
Community answers
Celebrate Scotland
"Share your photographs of Scotland with Herald readers in our online gallery. "
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Your pictures
Drumochter munros August 2017Glencoe July 2017 
Drumochter munros August 2017Glencoe July 2017 Your pictures
Trà igh Mheilein Beach- Isle of HarrisThe Green Lochan - Rothiemurchus 
Trà igh Mheilein Beach- Isle of HarrisThe Green Lochan - Rothiemurchus Your pictures
Perthshire , Hermitage, Pitlochry and Loch Ness. 
Perthshire , Hermitage, Pitlochry and Loch Ness. 
Perthshire , Hermitage, Pitlochry and Loch Ness. Your pictures
Top picture is Keil View Estate situated in Duror, Argyll, Scotland with views overlooking Loch Linnhe. The estate is owned by the Laird of KEIL. Visit the estate website: keilview.webs.com and find out its history.The second picture is Edinburgh Castle, recently visited by the Laird of Keil, Roy Woods at the invitation of Tattoo chief Brigadier David Allfrey and Castle Governor General Mike Ridell-Webster. 
Top picture is Keil View Estate situated in Duror, Argyll, Scotland with views overlooking Loch Linnhe. The estate is owned by the Laird of KEIL. Visit the estate website: keilview.webs.com and find out its history.The second picture is Edinburgh Castle, recently visited by the Laird of Keil, Roy Woods at the invitation of Tattoo chief Brigadier David Allfrey and Castle Governor General Mike Ridell-Webster. 
Top picture is Keil View Estate situated in Duror, Argyll, Scotland with views overlooking Loch Linnhe. The estate is owned by the Laird of KEIL. Visit the estate website: keilview.webs.com and find out its history.The second picture is Edinburgh Castle, recently visited by the Laird of Keil, Roy Woods at the invitation of Tattoo chief Brigadier David Allfrey and Castle Governor General Mike Ridell-Webster. 
Top picture is Keil View Estate situated in Duror, Argyll, Scotland with views overlooking Loch Linnhe. The estate is owned by the Laird of KEIL. Visit the estate website: keilview.webs.com and find out its history.The second picture is Edinburgh Castle, recently visited by the Laird of Keil, Roy Woods at the invitation of Tattoo chief Brigadier David Allfrey and Castle Governor General Mike Ridell-Webster. Your pictures
Goatfell and Brodick Bay on the Isle of Arran Your pictures
1) The beauty of masonry of one of the last remains full cattle courts in Fife County alongside converted barn to home from 1733 in early spring with blooming clematis.2) Near Dumbarnie Links Nature Reserve in Largo Bay in Fife, County.3) Harbor of Eyemouth.4) A stream in Callandar. 
1) The beauty of masonry of one of the last remains full cattle courts in Fife County alongside converted barn to home from 1733 in early spring with blooming clematis.2) Near Dumbarnie Links Nature Reserve in Largo Bay in Fife, County.3) Harbor of Eyemouth.4) A stream in Callandar. 
1) The beauty of masonry of one of the last remains full cattle courts in Fife County alongside converted barn to home from 1733 in early spring with blooming clematis.2) Near Dumbarnie Links Nature Reserve in Largo Bay in Fife, County.3) Harbor of Eyemouth.4) A stream in Callandar. 
1) The beauty of masonry of one of the last remains full cattle courts in Fife County alongside converted barn to home from 1733 in early spring with blooming clematis.2) Near Dumbarnie Links Nature Reserve in Largo Bay in Fife, County.3) Harbor of Eyemouth.4) A stream in Callandar. Your pictures
Stunning Camusdarach beach in sunlight and sunset 
Stunning Camusdarach beach in sunlight and sunset Your pictures
Loch Ken, Dumfries and Galloway Your pictures
Your pictures
Paddle boarding in Ayrshire with a sealLooking to Arran from Goldenberry HillView of sunset from ConicLoch Assynt 
Paddle boarding in Ayrshire with a sealLooking to Arran from Goldenberry HillView of sunset from ConicLoch Assynt 
Paddle boarding in Ayrshire with a sealLooking to Arran from Goldenberry HillView of sunset from ConicLoch Assynt 
Paddle boarding in Ayrshire with a sealLooking to Arran from Goldenberry HillView of sunset from ConicLoch Assynt Your pictures
Macrahanish August 2017 & Blackwater, Garve, Ross-Shire July 2017 
Macrahanish August 2017 & Blackwater, Garve, Ross-Shire July 2017 Your pictures
Macrahanish August 2017 & Blackwater, Garve, Ross-Shire July 2017 Macrahanish August 2017 & Blackwater, Garve, Ross-Shire July 2017 Your pictures
Thurso River - 'the Mall Walk' Celebrate Scotland
Share your photographs of Scotland with Herald readers in our online gallery.
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