The Highland Year of Culture generated almost £13m for the economy of the Highlands and Islands and created nearly 500 jobs, according to an evaluation of the year-long celebration.

The independent Centre for Cultural Policy Research at Glasgow University found that Highland 2007 events directly and indirectly created 326 full-time equivalent posts and an income of £6.6m.

In addition, the tourism spin-off was an estimated 520,000 additional day visits and 43,000 additional overnight stays in the Highlands and Islands. Some 58% were from Scotland and the remainder were from the rest of the UK or overseas.

The total expenditure on accommodation, tickets, food and drink associated with these additional visitors was £6.1m. This was capable of sustaining a further 133 jobs, the report said.

Meanwhile, £31.6m was invested in 10 major capital projects as a result of Highland 2007, including the refurbishment of Eden Court Theatre, the new visitor centre at Culloden battlefield and the Centre for Creative and Cultural Industries at Sabhal Mor Ostaig, Skye's Gaelic College.

However, the report added: "Highland 2007 made little impact generally in the Scottish or UK wide press.

"When it was mentioned, around half of all coverage in national broadsheets and tabloids was made up of marginal references to Highland 2007 only, while the year was central to only 23.5% of coverage in national broadsheets, and 19% of national tabloids."

Linda Fabiani, minister for culture, said the celebration was a great example of public sector partnership working, and had "set the scene for the fast-approaching Year of Homecoming in 2009".