Legal action to stop a distillery on the shores of Loch Ness from using the famous stretch of water's name in its products has failed.

Duncan Taylor Scotch Whisky Limited wanted six trademarks of rival firm Loch Ness Sprits cancelled and applied to the Intellectual Property Office (IPO) to prevent them being used.

The family-owned distillery, based near Dores, uses the loch's name for products including gin, rum and vodka, among others.

The company argued it has had a claim to the Loch Ness brand since 2008 through a subsidiary, The Original Loch Ness Whisky Company Limited.

The Loch Ness name attracts thousands of tourists to the area and is internationally known because of the fabled Loch Ness Monster which attracts spotters to its shores.

Duncan Taylor also claimed the use of the name could cause confusion.

The application, however, was dismissed by the IPO hearing officer because the firm failed to show it was the owner of any "goodwill" generated from its use of Loch Ness in relation to whisky.