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Irish president meets Swinney at start of four-day visit to Scotland

News imageReuters Scotland's First Minister John Swinney and Ireland's President Catherine Connolly pictured against a black backdrop. Swinney - who is bald and has glasses - is wearing a navy suit, white shirt and purple tartan tie. Connolly is wearing a light blue trouser suit and a white blouse. She has short grey hair. Reuters
Scotland's First Minister John Swinney met Ireland's President Catherine Connolly at Bute House in Edinburgh

Ireland's President Catherine Connolly has met First Minister John Swinney at the start of a four-day visit to Scotland.

Swinney was joined by his wife as he greeted Connolly and her husband before a meeting at Bute House.

Last November the SNP leader became the first overseas leader to meet the president, at her official residence in Dublin, following her inauguration.

During her time in Scotland Connolly will receive an honorary fellowship from the Royal Society of Edinburgh.

She will also learn more about a project it funds with the Royal Irish Academy that works to help deaf victims of gender-based violence in rural areas.

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

In a statement, she said: "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."

News imagePA Media President Connolly stands by as US President Donald Trump signs the visitors book at Aras an Uachtarain, her official residence in Phoenix Park, Dublin, during a courtesy call at the start of his trip to the Republic of Ireland. PA Media
President Trump visited President Connolly's official residence in Dublin on Saturday

Swinney said he was "delighted" to welcome Connolly to Scotland.

The first minister said: "We had an extensive conversation around the relationship between Scotland and Ireland, and some of the global challenges that we all are part of in relation to conflict around the world, and in relation to climate change.

"We also talked about some of the domestic priorities and issues that are at stake here in Scotland, particularly the work that I am taking forward on violence against women and girls."

Earlier this year, Connolly made an official visit to London which included a meeting with King Charles at Buckingham Palace.

She has also made two official visits to Northern Ireland.

Last weekend she met US President Donald Trump when he visited Ireland.

The president's trip coincided with the Irish Open at the Trump International golf resort in Doonbeg, Co Clare.