Anti-nuclear weapons campaigners have gathered across Scotland ahead of a vote on the future of Trident.

Demonstrations in 36 Scottish towns and cities were attended by around 7000 people, the Scottish Scrap Trident Coalition (SSTC) said.

MPs will vote whether to renew the controversial nuclear weapons programme, which is based on the Clyde, on Monday.

The SSTC's David Mackenzie said: "Early calculations indicate that this is one of the biggest public demonstrations in Scotland for many years, showing just how people outraged people feel about this ghastly business."

Events included a demonstration at the Mound in Edinburgh, which attracted around 500 people, including SNP MP Tommy Sheppard, and a rally at Buchanan Street's steps in Glasgow, where speakers included SNP politicians Bill Kidd and Alison Thewliss.

Mr Sheppard tweeted: "Bowled over by the turnout at Edinburgh demo. Pleased to stand with the people."

The Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament says renewing Trident will cost around £205bn, including £31bn to replace the UK's fleet of four nuclear submarines. That estimate is far higher than the UK Government's suggested figure of £167bn.

Trident was introduced by the Thatcher government in the early 1980s as a replacement for the ageing Polaris missile programme, which had been in use since the 1960s.

The deterrent came into use in the 1990s and the submarines which make up the current fleet are expected to last until the late 2020s.

Conservative MP David Cameron announced the Commons vote on Trident renewal before standing down as Prime Minister last week, saying it would confirm support for the replacement of the full submarine fleet.

The SNP and the Greens are opposed to the nuclear deterrent, while Scottish Labour voted to oppose it at the party's conference last year. A UK Labour deference review - currently under way - reportedly leaves the option of retaining Trident open despite leader Jeremy Corbyn's lifelong support for unilateral disarmament.