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Scotland’s chief medical officer has issued an apology after being caught ignoring her own advice by visiting her second home in Fife.

Dr Catherine Calderwood was photographed walking with her family near Earlsferry on Saturday despite Scots being told to avoid unnecessary travel during the lockdown.

The 51-year-old, who lives in Edinburgh but owns the second property, said that while she had reasons for visiting the bolthole, they were not “legitimate” enough to be out of her home.

(Image: Daily Record)

She said: “I wish to apologise unreservedly for the issue reported in the media today.

“While there are reasons for what I did, they do not justify it and they were not legitimate reasons to be out of my home.

"While I and my family followed the guidance on social distancing at all times, I understand that I did not follow the advice I am giving to others, and I am truly sorry for that.

“I know how important this advice is and I do not want my mistake to distract from that.

“I have a job to do as Chief Medical Officer to provide advice to Ministers on the path of this virus and to support the medical profession as they work night and day to save lives, and having spoken with the First Minister this morning I will continue to focus entirely on that job.”

Just days before the coastal walk, the doctor tweeted a photo of her family from their main residence in Edinburgh as they clapped for the front-line NHS staff battling COVID-19.

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."