LISTEN: Terminally Ill Woman's Dream Highland Tour
Barbara fulfilled her dying wish to tour the Highlands with support from VisitScotland.
A German woman with a terminal illness has fulfilled her final wish to see the Highlands.
The 41-year-old, known as Barbara M, suffers from a rare gene defect and was told she has a year to live.
She dreamed of visiting Loch Ness since she was a child.
Now, she's had her dying wish fulfilled by VisitScotland and charity, A Last Wish.
Barbara travelled to Inverness by train via Brussels – some 1,200 miles – for two days before enjoying a boat trip on Loch Ness and watching dolphins at Fortrose.
She said: “When I was a child, about 30 years ago, I used to read various books about the Scottish Highlands – the landscape, the people, the clans and the mysteries.
"I always wanted to go there to see it with my own eyes.
"I couldn’t believe when my dream finally came true.”
Barbara was accompanied on the trip by her two children, 21-year-old Fabian and nine-year-old Moritz.
She continued: “The three days I stayed with my children in Inverness, organised by the foundation with the help of VisitScotland, were brilliant.
“We stayed at the Royal Highland Hotel.
"We then went to see the dolphins at Fortrose, and in the afternoon we had a marvellous boat tour on Loch Ness.
"The countryside, the landscape and all the friendly people were overwhelming.
“We visited Brodie Castle, took a train ride to Kyle of Lochalsh and spent a lot of time absorbing as much of the Highlands as possible.
"The weather was outstanding and I forgot all about my problems.
"I felt at home and had an unforgettable time.
“I will never forget this trip and I am sure that my kids will also remember it, even after I have passed away.
"They will look at the pictures and the film and I will be with them.
"I left Scotland with tears in my eyes.”
MFR Reporter Derek Ferguson speaks with visitor services adviser with VisitScotland, Rosalyn Watson about Barbara's journey...
Scott Armstrong, Regional Director at VisitScotland said: “We were delighted to be able to assist Barbara and her children in making the most out of her very special visit to the Highlands.
"I am also pleased that, despite the heartbreaking circumstances, she found the region to be even more incredible than she had imagined.”
Her journey was filmed by a camera crew and will be broadcast on German television later in the year.