Scotland's chief medical officer (CMO) has been photographed breaking her own lockdown measures while visiting her family's second home during the coronavirus pandemic.

Photos of Dr Catherine Calderwood and her family in Earlsferry, Fife, were published in the Scottish Sun on Saturday.

Just days earlier, the 51-year-old tweeted a photo of her family from their main residence in Edinburgh as they clapped for the front-line NHS staff working to stop the spread of Covid-19.

My family clapping my NHS & care colleagues – and me! Thank you all pic.twitter.com/gPH5XG2xEm — CMO Scotland (@CathCalderwood1) April 2, 2020

The paper says the home in the capital is just two-and-a-half miles from the Scottish Government building where Dr Calderwood delivers daily briefings on the virus with First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

READ MORE: Coronavirus: the decade-old warnings left unheeded by Scottish ministers

Earlsferry is a drive of more than an hour from Edinburgh.

The images emerged amid continuing advice from the CMO and other leading medical professionals and politicians to stay at home in order to save lives and protect the NHS.

Last month, the Scottish Government issued a travel warning criticising the “irresponsible behaviour” of people with second homes and campervans travelling to the Highlands in a bid to isolate.

On Friday, the First Minister said the upcoming Easter break would be “a holiday period unlike any we’ve had in our lifetimes”.

Dr Calderwood also stressed people should adhere to the restrictions, and said it was looking less likely summer holidays will take place this year as they have done previously.

READ MORE: Highland police forced to add extra patrols amid plans for 'public COVID-19 march'

A Scottish Government spokesman said on Saturday: “Since this start of this epidemic, the CMO has been working seven days a week preparing Scotland’s response.

“She took the opportunity this weekend to check on a family home in Fife as she knows she will not be back again until the crisis is over.

“She stayed overnight before returning to Edinburgh.

“In line with guidance, she stayed within her own household group and observed social distancing with anyone she was in passing in the village.”

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