A group of journalists from the north west of England travelled north to Inverness today [Wednesday 20 November] to experience some Highland hospitality courtesy of Inverness and Nairn Enterprise (INE) and Highlands and Islands Airports Limited (HIAL), Eastern Airways and local tourism operators.

The visit was designed to help promote the new daily Inverness to Manchester scheduled air service, which was launched at the start of the month. 

Among the delegation sampling the delights of the Highland capital and its environs were journalists from the Manchester Evening News and the Liverpool Daily Post as well as travel writers from Regional Airline World and Regional International.

After taking off from Manchester at 8.40 am, the group touched down at Inverness at 10.25 and embarked on a whirlwind tour of some of the area's top attractions - including Urquhart Castle, and Loch Ness 2000.

Inverness and Nairn Enterprise has awarded £85,000 to help Eastern Airways market the new service.

Acting chief executive with INE, Stuart Black said: "The north west of England is potentially a huge market for us, both in terms of business travellers and tourists. 

"Hosting a visit by journalists and travel writers will help spread the word to a wider audience who will hopefully be encouraged to hop on a plane and come see what the Highlands has to offer."