Top Job for Highland Record Belly Dancer

A woman who led a successful Guinness Book of Records belly dance efforts has been appointed civic head of a town in the Highlands.

SNP councillor Liz MacDonald and a group of 134 dancers earned their entry with a five-minute routine in the seaside town in 2005.

Mrs MacDonald was named provost of Nairn, near Inverness, at a meeting of councillors who serve the town.

She said it was a "tremendous privilege and honour" to have been chosen.

The title makes her Highland Council's civic head for the former Victorian spa resort, which was a popular holiday destination for the late Charlie Chaplin.

A provost is similar to the post of mayor and her role involves meeting dignitaries and attending public events.