BUSINESSES at Loch Lomond Shores have reported a bumper Festive period.

And the shopping centre is also hailing its best year ever in terms of visitor numbers- 1.3m in 2016.

Sue Black, owner of Misty Glen: "Trade was good in the run-up to Christmas, there were lots of visitors enjoying the combination of being able to shop in a lovely location and to enjoy lunch in cafes with a loch view, making it all a lovely experience.

"During the Christmas holidays it has been busy with people enjoying the extra attractions which had been organised by our super site team.

"The weather has been kind to us this winter so visitors have been able to enjoy walks along to the beach and in the woodland, and other things we have to offer here at Loch Lomond Shores.

"It's been a great season and a promising start to 2017."

Stuart Williams, marketing assistant at Lomond Shores said: "We had a strong few weeks in the lead-up to Christmas, and this week has continued to be strong, too.

"Our visitor numbers on site for 2016 have also been our best yet, with 1.3 million visitors over the year."

David Lonsdale, Director of the Scottish Retail Consortium, said: "There has rarely been a better time to be a shopper.

"Three years of falling shop prices has coincided with a technology revolution.

"That’s led to customers being able to choose how they get their products, at the time and place that suits, at a price in real terms which has seldom been lower.

"However, for Scotland’s retailers much of the data from 2016 - on retail sales, footfall and shop vacancies – has made for sober reading, especially against a backdrop of further shifts in shopping habits and stiff competition.

"This has been compounded by official figures this autumn showing a continuing drop in the numbers of shops and retail jobs.

"That said, the final few months of the year ended on a more upbeat note with a modest and welcome uplift in retail sales in Scotland."