McConnell meets the people

Jack McConnell will make a number of announcements

Scotland's first minister has lined up a series of engagements across the country as he embarks on a "summer tour".

Jack McConnell will be attending events in locations ranging from the south west to the north east and the Highlands.

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said: "He is the first minister of Scotland and he is taking the opportunity of recess, when he is not tied so much to parliamentary business, to go out and meet and listen to the people of Scotland."

On Thursday Mr McConnell will make an announcement about sporting facilities in Annan, Dumfries and Galloway, before attending the Stewartry agricultural show at Castle Douglas.

He will also meet local community activists in Stranraer for talks about the executive's anti-social behaviour plans.

The following day the first minister is due to visit the McLelland's cheese-making plant in the south west town.

Anti-social behaviour

Mr McConnell is scheduled to appear at the Edinburgh Book Festival on Sunday to talk about his favourite children's books and his top literary heroes and villains.

On 14 August he is expected to make a health-related visit in the west of Scotland.

The following week visits to Inverness and Ullapool, in the Highlands, are planned for more discussions about anti-social behaviour.

The tour is due to finish in Aberdeen on 28 August with a visit linked to the energy industry.