Prince's plan to boost far north

The prince and the Duchess of Rothesay are staying in the Highlands

Prince Charles has launched a new tourism strategy in an effort to boost the economy of the far north.

A year ago he visited Caithness to launch the Mey Selections brand, which promotes local farm produce, as part of his North Highland Initiative.

He has now launched the second phase of his project - Pleasure in the Extreme.

The strategy aims to present the north Highlands as one distinctive region, to encourage people to stay longer and to visit more than once a year.

Mey Selections, which markets beef, lamb and cheeses from the region, has seen a turnover of £2m in its first year.

Real fur

Prince Charles hopes the new Extreme branding will also reap benefits for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross-shire. It focuses on the physical and environmental extremes in the north.

Earlier on Tuesday, he visited the Environmental Research Institute in Thurso, where he was met by two animal rights protesters campaigning against the use of real fur in the bearskins worn by guards on duty outside Buckingham Palace.

Prince Charles and the Duchess of Rothesay are staying at Castle of Mey following the Queen's 80th birthday cruise around the Western Isles.