Theresa May is in Edinburgh for talks with Nicola Sturgeon.

In the first visit of her premiership, the newly appointed Prime Minister said her meeting with the First Minister at Bute House signals her commitment to the union.

Mrs May was greeted at Bute House by Ms Sturgeon, with the women shaking hands on the steps of the First Minister's official residence.

The Prime Minister said ahead of her visit that it would prove the UK Government is "fully engaging with the Scottish Government in the forthcoming negotiations about the UK's exit from the European Union".

She added: "I believe with all my heart in the United Kingdom - the precious bond between England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

"This visit to Scotland is my first as Prime Minister and I'm coming here to show my commitment to preserving this special union that has endured for centuries.

"And I want to say something else to the people of Scotland too: the Government I lead will always be on your side.

"Every decision we take, every policy we take forward, we will stand up for you and your family - not the rich, the mighty or the powerful."

Previously, Ms Sturgeon said a second Scottish independence referendum was "highly likely" after the Brexit vote on June 23.

David Mundell, who was reappointed Scottish secretary, has however insisted there is "no mood" in Scotland for a second independence referendum.

He told the BBC Radio 4 Today programme: "What people in Scotland don't want is this toxic and divisive issue of a second Scottish independence referendum being put on the table and blurring the issues around the EU negotiations."

He added: "People in Scotland are in no mood for a second independence referendum and business in particular in Scotland isn't in a mood to have the issue of Scottish independence blurring the very, very important negotiations to get Scotland the best possible deal from the EU negotiations."

Meanwhile, the SNP's Europe spokesman suggested independence may be the easiest way to keep Scotland in the European Union.

Stephen Gethins told the BBC's Good Morning Scotland: "There are a wide range of options. I think that independence could be one of the ways.

"The evidence that was given suggests that maybe that's the easiest way to find your way into the EU.

"But there are other ways of doing it, which is why the Scottish Government is working with other parties to find a solution to this."

Scotland voted 62% to 38% to remain in the EU at the Brexit referendum.

Ms Sturgeon has said a second Scottish independence referendum may be the only way to secure Scotland's interests and protect its EU membership but she wanted to "explore all options".

On Thursday, a group of experts set up by the Scottish Government met for the first time to advise on how to secure Scotland's place in Europe.