Four visitor information centres in Argyll and Bute are to be shut after VisitScotland announced the closure of its entire network of 'iCentres' across the country.

The public body which works as Scotland’s national tourism organisation said the closures would happen as “part of a strategy designed to grow the visitor economy by influencing visitors in the planning stage of their trip, before they leave home”.

The four remaining visitor information centres in Argyll and Bute are located in Rothesay on Bute, Oban, Bowmore on Islay and Craignure on Mull.

All will be shut over the next few years - while the axe will also fall on the centre in Balloch, near Loch Lomond.

VisitScotland said all of its information centres – known as iCentres – will operate as usual until the end of September as part of phased two-year closure programme.

The body said it was engaging with local stakeholders to discuss “local arrangements”.

VisitScotland said it would be adopting a “digital-first strategy”, targeting channels such as “TikTok, YouTube, online travel websites and tools like AI”.

It said that 64 per cent of international visitors come as part of a package holiday, meaning engaging with tour operators was also important.

John Thurso, the hereditary peer serving as the chair of VisitScotland, said: “The tourism landscape has changed significantly in recent years.

“The demand for iCentres has reduced while the demand for online information and booking has continued to grow.

“In order to continue building demand and growing the value of tourism and events, it is vitally important that we target channels we know visitors use to influence them to visit Scotland.

“Our research shows that as an organisation, we have a greater and more impactful role to play in providing information before visitors travel.

"Prioritising a digital-first model of information provision allows us to reach potential visitors at those early planning stages when we can shape their future travel decisions.

“Together with businesses and our partners, we want to build on success and ensure that across all areas of our work – marketing, destination development, business advice, insights and events - we prioritise the activities that will deliver for our industry and for Scotland.

“By evolving our work in this way, we will be able to invest in the activities that will accelerate sustainable growth in the visitor economy, helping create jobs, sustain communities and attract investment for the future.”