A global marketing campaign to promote Scottish tourism has been launched around Disney/Pixar's latest film set in the Highlands.

The animated film Brave features voices from some of the country's best-loved actors including Billy Connolly, Robbie Coltrane and Kevin McKidd.

Other stars involved in the project due to be released in the UK in August, include Julie Walters and Emma Thompson.

VisitScotland and Disney will work together to create a global marketing campaign around the animated adventure, including joint TV and cinema advertising across the UK, North America and Europe, digital marketing and events including premieres and screenings.

It is the first time that Disney has teamed up with a country's tourism organisation, to this scale, around the launch of one of its films.

Mike Cantlay, VisitScotland chairman, said: "This is an incredible opportunity to extend the reach of VisitScotland's marketing activity across the world. This film will be shown in more than 70 countries across the world and will give us the opportunity to convert cinema goers into visitors in the biggest campaign VisitScotland has ever launched.

"There are very few tourism destinations that get to work so closely with the world's largest entertainment companies - and this gives us an unprecedented opportunity to put Scotland on the worldwide stage with a whole new audience."

The film tells the tale of Merida, skilled archer and daughter of King Fergus and Queen Elinor. Determined to carve her own path in life, she defies an age-old custom sacred to the lords of Scotland and unleashes chaos and fury in the family.

Tricia Wilber, Walt Disney Company chief marketing officer for Europe, said: "Brave takes its inspiration from the majesty and mystery of Scotland, and features the voices of many much-loved Scottish stars, so it's fitting to create a global campaign with VisitScotland to further bring to life the iconic Scottish landscapes and folklore that inspired the film."

Film director Mark Andrews said: "Brave is an amazing magical adventure with larger than life characters, including Scotland itself. During our research, we learned that everything in Scotland tells a story - every stone, tree, mountain - which is why we are so proud that this beautiful country is the backdrop of our film."