As the Royal Yacht Britannia, in Edinburgh, prepares to mark 20 years since opening its doors to the public in 1998, the team is also celebrating a remarkable achievement, ending 2017 with a phenomenal 390,482 visitors.

This is the highest number of visitors ever recorded and also represents a 12 per cent year-on-year increase on 2016.

Commenting on this success, chief executive of the Royal Yacht Britannia, Bob Downie said: “Last year was a phenomenally busy year and it’s a great tribute to the professionalism of our staff.”

This year is due to be another landmark year for the famous ship, marking 20 years since opening its doors as a visitor attraction in Edinburgh, together with the opening of Fingal in summer, a major £3.5 million luxury floating hotel and events venue by Britannia’s trading company, Royal Yacht Enterprises.

Downie continued: “This success could not have come at a better time, as we look forward to the launch of our new 23-bedroom luxury hotel accommodation and unique events venue, on the former Northern Lighthouse Board tender, Fingal, opening in the summer of 2018.”