Flora MacDonald's dog to become a castle tour guide

A dog that forms part of a statue to Flora MacDonald is the inspiration for a guide to show young visitors around Inverness Castle when it opens as a tourist attraction.

MacDonald famously helped Bonnie Prince Charlie evade capture after his defeat at the Battle of Culloden in 1746.

Inverness Castle Experience is bringing the border collie to life in cartoon form as guide through the castle's exhibitions.

There is no historical record of the dog's name and a schools competition has been launched to find one.

The statue stands near the front of Inverness Castle.

The former sheriff court and prison is being redeveloped as a visitor attraction at a cost of about £30m and is due to open later this year.

The project has received funding from the £315m Inverness and Highland City Region Deal, external.

The castle will have an interactive "journey" taking visitors through the history of the Highlands.

Culloden on 16 April 1746 saw forces loyal to Bonnie Prince Charlie defeated by the Duke of Cumberland's government army.

Fought near Inverness, it involved the deaths of about 1,600 men - 1,500 of them Jacobites.

After the battle the prince and a number of his supporters went on the run across the Highlands and Hebrides.

MacDonald, who was living in Benbecula, was among those who helped the prince evade capture by government redcoat soldiers.

She suggested he be disguised as her serving maid for the crossing to Skye, where he was given shelter before continuing his escape to France.