A senior judge has been appointed the new chair of Scotland's child abuse inquiry.

Lady Smith will take up the role after two panel members quit in a turbulent few months for the investigation.

Deputy first minister John Swinney announced Lady Smith's appointment in a letter to the Scottish Parliament's education committee on Wednesday.

He said Lady Smith, who has been a judge since 2001, would bring "leadership, independence and sensitivity" to the inquiry.

Mr Swinney added: "Lady Smith will bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the leadership of the Inquiry, from her significant service both as a QC and as a judge, her extensive involvement in the work of tribunals and as President of the Scottish Tribunals and her role in leading the Scottish Partnership on Domestic Abuse."

It is hoped Lady Smith will give some stability to the inquiry. Previous chair Susan O'Brien resigned from her post earlier this month, after claims she made comments which were "offensive to survivors".

Her resignation came a week after psychology professor Michael Lamb resigned from the three-person panel, claiming the Scottish Government had been interfering in the process.

Ms O'Brien backed up his criticism, saying her trust that the Scottish Government would respect the independence of the inquiry had gone.

Mr Swinney has disputed all suggestions that the government was interfering.

The Scottish Child Abuse Inquiry, set up to focus on allegations of abuse in formal institutional care settings, is expected to last four years.

Campaigners representing victims of childhood abuse have been critical of its remit, claiming it should have been widened to include abuse at religious organisations and children's groups.

Mr Swinney confirmed on Wednesday that he would revisit the scope of the terms of reference with Lady Smith in the coming weeks.

He said: "Scotland must have an in-depth independent Inquiry that pursues critical lines of evidence to uncover the truth.

"It must also be sufficiently focused in scope to deliver clear, meaningful recommendations that help prevent a repeat of the systemic, institutional failings which saw children abused by the very individuals entrusted by the state and others to care for them over an extended period. Survivors, and indeed the wider public would expect no less."

Lady Smith, who takes up her post on Monday, said: "Protection of the innocence and wellbeing of children is of fundamental importance to a healthy society. The duty of institutions entrusted with the care of children to afford that principle the highest priority is indisputable.

"Sadly, many children placed in residential care in this country have, over a period stretching back years, not been afforded the protection they deserved. Their voices now require to be heard and questions of when, where, how and why it happened require to be fully addressed."

She said that "real efforts" were needed to ensure children in care in Scotland are protected from abuse in the future.