Staff at a north-east sea life centre are celebrating after it was named the UK’s number one underwater attraction.
Macduff Marine Aquarium has also been ranked 13th best in Europe and claimed a prestigious Travellers’ Choice Award.
The north-east visitor magnet pipped Hull’s The Deep and the National Marine Aquarium in Plymouth to the title awarded by TripAdvisor.
Visitor comments on the review website praise the aquarium’s “welcoming” and knowledgeable staff, affordable entrance fee and informative displays.
The aquarium’s delighted education officer, Claire Matthews, said: “We’re really pleased. We’ve had a certificate of excellence for the last three years running which is super, but this came as a doubly nice surprise.
“Although we’re a small aquarium and not necessarily getting masses and masses of reviews, the ones we are getting are really high numbers of stars.”
More than 60% of the visitors to Macduff aquarium have been to the attraction before and the staff believe that is an indicator of its quality.
Mrs Matthews added: “The top attraction in Europe is Oceanario de Lisboa in Portugal. To be even considered in the same group of 25 is thrilling.
“It just feels like it’s a good time for us, I very much hope we have a sparkling future.”
Banffshire Coast Tourism Partnership chairman, Roger Goodyear, hailed the award as a success for the whole area.
He said: “I’m absolutely delighted because it really is a first-rate aquarium and one of the finest visitor attractions we have on the Banffshire coast, or indeed on the Moray coast.
“We have a broad appeal in Banffshire but we’ve been exploring more family appeal and one of the things the aquarium does so well is making it attractive for families.”
TripAdvisor presents Travellers’ Choice Awards based on a formula which takes into account both the quantity and quality of reviews.
Company spokesman James Kay said: “The annual Travellers’ Choice awards for aquariums are based on the millions of valuable reviews and opinions from TripAdvisor travellers across the globe.”
“Huge kudos to Macduff Marine Aquarium for being named 13th best rated aquarium in Europe.”
Mr Kay added: “It’s sure to be high on the visit hit list for many families during the school summer break.”