Scotland's chief medical officer has quit after admitting twice flouting the 'stay at home' guuidance she has been key in promoting.

Dr Catherine Calderwood said she was 'deeply sorry' and resigned 'with a heavy heart.

She said she agreed with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon that the 'justifiable focus' on her behaviour risked distracting from the pandemic response.

Earlier, Ms Sturgeon had defended Dr Calderwood during a press briefing, but subsequently confirmed the chief medic would not attend future press conferences.

Following that decision, Dr Calderwood announced her resignation, saying: "I am deeply sorry for my actions and the mistakes I have made."

Ms Sturgeon praised Dr Calderwood for providing advice to her and to the Scottish government over the past few weeks, and stressed that the advice was right: "People should continue to stay at home to protect the NHS and to save lives."

But she added: "It is however clear that the mistake she made - even though she has apologised sincerely and honourably for it - risks distracting from and undermining confidence in the government's public health message at this crucial time. That is not a risk either of us is willing to take."

Dr Calderwood was photographed by The Scottish Sun visiting her holiday home on the east coast of Scotland over the weekend.

"As well as this weekend, it's important to be clear, that I also was there last weekend with my husband. I did not follow the advice I am giving to others," she said at the Scottish government's daily press briefing on Sunday.

"I'm truly sorry for that."

Dr Calderwood claimed there were 'reasons' for her to have left her house in Edinburgh to go to second home, but that they were 'not legitimate reasons'.