Celebrities, business tycoons and the leaders of small countries are among hundreds of people given gifts by generous Scottish ministers, documents have revealed.
Over the past five years more than 1,400 presents including Saltire ties, quaichs, jewellery and Harris Tweed fashion bags have been handed out to the likes of Hilary Clinton, Sir Sean Connery, Nicola Benedetti, Bill Gates and Sir Richard Branson.
First Minister Alex Salmond was the most charitable politician, giving away more keepsakes than the rest of his cabinet combined since 2008.
Among the names on his gift list have been presidents, prime ministers and sheikhs around the globe as well as famous faces, including actor Kevin McKidd and golfer Luke Donald.
But Mr Salmond also bestowed presents on a host of ordinary people, such as his staff, taxi drivers, school teachers, pipers and favoured journalists.
It took the Scottish Government four months to divulge details of the giveaways following a Freedom of Information request in April.
Scottish Conservative MSP Alex Johnstone said it was “no surprise” the First Minister handed out the most presents.
He said: “He seems to spend most of his time fawning over celebrities despite many of them ignoring his letters.
“The public will wonder why the First Minister is so obsessed about cosying up to these people at their expense and it’s high time he took his role more seriously.”
The figures show 1,451 gifts have been handed out by minsters over the past five years 858 of them by the First Minister himself at a total cost of at least £26,202 to the taxpayer.
Saltire ties were the most popular presents, with 223 given out, including to former Irish Prime Minister Bertie Ahern and US Congressman John Duncan, while 189 pairs of cufflinks, 89 quaichs, and 74 scarves were gifted by the SNP cabinet.