President Connolly meets Scotland's First Minister

President Catherine Connolly has been greeted by Scotland First Minister John Swinney at his official residence in Edinburgh, as her visit to Scotland begins.

Mr Swinney was joined by his wife Elizabeth Quigley as he met President Connolly and her husband Brian McEnery outside Bute House.

They then took part in a meeting inside the residence.

President Connolly is on a four-day official visit to Scotland.

The visit comes after Mr Swinney met President Connolly at Áras an Uachtaráin last November, when he was the first overseas leader to see her after her inauguration.

At that visit the SNP leader invited President Connolly to Scotland.

During her time in Scotland, Ms Connolly will receive an honorary fellowship from the Royal Society of Edinburgh, before learning more about a project it funds with the Royal Irish Academy that works to help deaf victims of gender-based violence in rural areas.

Over the course of the visit, the president will travel to Glasgow, Coatbridge and the Isle of Skye, where she will visit Sabhal Mòr Ostaig, Scotland's National Centre for Gaelic Language and Culture.

Speaking ahead of the visit, she said: "I am very pleased to have the opportunity of making an official visit to Scotland and building on my engagement with the First Minister in the opening weeks of my presidency.

"Ireland and Scotland are bound by strong ties of friendship, culture and language, with people moving between our countries for centuries.

"I am very much looking forward to meeting with those involved in many of the projects bringing our people together over the coming days, as well as meeting with members of the Irish community in Scotland."

Mr Swinney said he was "honoured" to welcome President Connolly to Scotland as he stressed the "deep and enduring connections" between their nations.

The Scottish First Minister added he is "determined to build on and strengthen" these links, saying they "enrich our societies and create opportunities for people in both countries".

He said: "It was a privilege to be the first head of government to meet the new president last year. During that meeting, I set out my aim to strengthen co-operation in areas that matter to both our nations.

"This week’s visit by the president makes it clear this is a shared ambition and demonstrates the closeness between our two nations.

"I look forward to discussing future opportunities that will be underpinned by our renewed bilateral framework and our shared commitment to peace, equality and international solidarity."

Earlier this year, President Connolly made an official visit to London and Leeds, meeting Britain's King Charles at Buckingham Palace, and she has also made two official visits to Northern Ireland, while in June she met the First Minister of Wales, Rhun ap Iorwerth.

She met US President Donald Trump when he visited Ireland last weekend.