A jump in tourists from North America helped boost overseas visits to Scotland by more than 4% in a year, figures show.

Scotland saw a 36% rise in visitors from North America - and a 57% increase in their expenditure - in the third quarter of 2016 when set against the same three-month period the year before.

There was a 9% drop in visits from core European markets, such as France and Germany, using the same measurement.

Overall, however, a 4.5% increase in visits to Scotland from overseas was recorded.

The total expenditure from international tourists was up by 14% in July to September last year, when compared to the same months in 2015.

Tourism Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: "North America is an important international market. These excellent figures confirm visitors from the region continue to spend more when they visit Scotland. It's great news for our hotels, shops and restaurants that depend on tourism revenue."

The statistics come from UK tourism data published by the Office for National Statistics (ONS), and further analysis from the Scottish Government and tourism body VisitScotland.

They show the third quarter of last year had the largest volume of trips by North American visitors since 2011.

The Scottish Government - which analysed the figures slightly differently, over a rolling 12-month period - said spending by North American visitors in Scotland was up 28% to £633 million in the year to the end of September.

Tourism bosses believe the boost in visitors from that part of the world may be attributed to more affordable rates against the pound to these markets.

An increase in airline capacity between Scotland and North America may have also had an impact, they believe.

Despite the decrease in core European markets, visits from EU nations such as Poland rose by 48% and visits from countries outside North America and Europe were up 7%.

VisitScotland chief executive Malcolm Roughead said: "It is remarkable to see such unparalleled growth in the North American market in both visits and spend.

"Of course, a favourable exchange rate has played its part, but a focus on airline capacity and connectivity - with around 90,000 extra seats on services from North America in 2016 - alongside a concentrated marketing approach has proved a real formula for success.

"It is disappointing to see a slight dip in European visits from core markets such as France and Germany, but with uncertainty over safety and security during 2016 in these countries, it is perhaps understandable. However, it's interesting to see a significant rise of 48% from our eastern European markets."