A new service from Google may encourage people to find more places to go walking.

Google Street View has produced a series of iconic images of popular locations around Britain for explorers to the website to enjoy, including a number that those buying walking equipment may wish to visit.

One of these is Loch Ness, which could be popular with folk keen to do some walking in the Highlands and maybe a bit of Nessie spotting along the way.

Urquhart Castle, which stands beside the loch near Drumnadrochit, is one of the famous buildings featured in the new images.

Those wishing to navigate better may wish to buy Ordnance Survey maps or a walking GPS from a Go Outdoors store.

One option for particularly keen walkers visiting the area is to do the Great Glen Way - which stretches 73 miles from Fort William to Inverness - passing Loch Ness along the way.

Formally opened in 2002, the way can be walked in five or six days.

Posted by Brandon Egley