CASTLE Campbell, the impressive ruin overlooking Dollar Glen, has surged in popularity over the last 12 months.

There has been a huge increase in the number of people who have walked through the doors to explore the well-preserved tower house, terraced gardens and loggia, which is an open walkway.

Visitor numbers to the Wee County stone fortress, which dates back to the 1400s, has risen by a massive 25 per cent over the last year.

It joins heritage attractions across Stirling and Central Scotland in celebrating a spike in footfall, as Historic Environment Scotland (HES) announced visitor figures for 2017/18.

Stirling Castle, one of Scotland’s most iconic castles and among the top 10 paid-for Historic Scotland attractions in the care of HES, recorded an increase of 18 per cent.

The figures also show Doune Castle continuing to celebrate the “Outlander effect”, as it recorded a 36 per cent increase in those flocking to the attraction.

The remarkably near-complete castle set in the Stirlingshire countryside stars in the hit television series as the fictional Castle Leoch.

Other sites in the region have also had an impressive showing.

Dunblane Cathedral and Inchmahome Priory recorded 3 per cent and 7 per cent increases in footfall respectively.

Stephen Duncan, director of commercial and tourism at HES, said: “It is an incredible achievement to celebrate record-breaking figures across our sites.

“This growing interest in Scotland’s historic environment with visitors enjoying our rich cultural country looks set to continue.

“Thank you to all our dedicated staff who help to bring to life Scotland’s past to every single one of our five million visitors.”

Castle Campbell, which also features ‘John Knox’s pulpit’ in its garden, which is said to be the site of a sermon given by the preacher in 1556, is part of a rise in interest in historic spots across the country.

More than five million people visited HES managed Historic Scotland attractions across the country during the 2017-18 period, which is a significant 17 per cent uplift from 2016-17.

The surge in numbers at sites across the length and breadth of the country is being attributed to growth in UK, European and overseas visitors, with a significant increase in Scots visiting sites partly due to a strong membership base of over 194,000.

The Castle Campbell is open daily until September 30, from 9.30am-5.30pm, with last entry at 5pm.

For more details, visit historicenvironment.scot