Scots seaside hidden gem named among the most colourful places on earth
BRIGHT IDEA Scots seaside hidden gem named among the most colourful places on earth
A SCOTTISH seaside destination has been named one of the world's top 25 most colourful places .
A groundbreaking scientific study has ranked the globe's most vibrant travel destinations.
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The brightly coloured harbour-front homes
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The royals visited Tobermory in April
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Original stars of Balamory are returning for the reboot, set on Tobermory
The research used cutting-edge image processing software to create a "ChromaTravel Index," scoring 26 destinations worldwide on colour saturation, vibrancy and hue variation.
And the study, commissioned by UK travel insurance provider Staysure, puts Scottish island spot Tobermory in an incredible 11th place in the world, beating renowned colourful destinations across Europe and beyond.
The picture-perfect harbour town on the Isle of Mull with its rainbow-coloured houses scored higher than famous Italian and Greek destinations.
The stunning spot's famous brightly painted harbour houses - visited recently by Prince William and Princess Kate - create a rainbow effect.
Colour psychology expert Karen Haller said: "Tobermory's cheerful waterfront houses bring a burst of colour to Scotland's west coast, creating a sense of warmth and welcome even on the coldest days.
"Brightly painted houses made it easier for fishermen to spot their homes and local businesses from the harbour or while out at sea, especially in misty or overcast weather.
"Painted in strong red, yellow, blue and black, the buildings have become iconic alongside the harbour-front and even served as the filming location for the television series Balamory, which has just been announced for a reboot.
"Many guidebooks and travel resources describe them as adding notable cheer to the town during its long, grey winters."
Two more UK destinations make the top 20 with Portmeirion, in Wales, in 13th place, and Brighton in 19th place.
Karen, who supported the research, added: "There's something about stepping into a place full of colour that instantly lifts you.
The tiny UK town that's been compared to a stunning Italian island
"It changes how you feel, how you move through the space, and even how you connect with others.
"We're drawn to them not just because they look good, but because they leave us feeling better. Happier. More open. More alive.
"It's something I do myself, seeking out places where colour isn't just seen, it's felt.
"And those are the experiences that stay with you."
While UK destinations claimed three spots in the top 20, they faced stiff competition from international rivals:.
Coming in number one place is Chefchaouen, Morocco, known as the famous "Blue City".
Nyhavn, Copenhagen, Denmark, with its colourful waterfront houses, came in second place and third on the list was the vibrant neighbourhood of Bo-Kaap, in Cape Town, South Africa.
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