Image source, Transport Scotland

Mr Brown moves on to an update on the dualling of the A9.

Last September we reported that the first new section of dual carriageway to be completed as part of a £3bn project to upgrade the A9 is now open to traffic.

Traffic restrictions have been lifted to allow vehicles full access to the 7.5km (4.7 mile) stretch of the route between Kincraig and Dalraddy.

Completion of the work, which cost £35m, also allowed for the 40mph speed limit in place to be lifted.

The overall scheme is to be completed in 2025.

Mr Brown says the total cost estimate for the project is £745m.

The economy secretary extols the virtues of he AWPR, once completed, including cutting congestion.

He says the first Aberdeen bypass proposal was made 65 years ago.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown confirms Aberdeen Roads Ltd (ARL) predicts the AWPR will open in August 2018, slightly later than the initial intention to open it in spring.

The delay is in part due to weather and scheduling issues, he explains.

The collapse of Carilion has had an impact on the supply chain but the remaining construction partners have taken on over 90% of Carillion's employees on the road, the cabinet secretary confirms.

However, Mr Brown warns a late autumn opening date may be more likely, highlighting an "ambitious" timetable from ARL.

The prospect of opening some sections of the road earlier than others is being considered, he says.

It is not possible to provide an exact opening date at this time, adds Mr Brown.

Image source, bbc

In February we reported that lmost all of the Aberdeen bypass workers employed by collapsed firm Carillion have been taken on by the project's other contractors.

Economy Secretary Keith Brown, visiting the site, said 57 of the 63 staff employed by Carillion had transferred to Balfour Beatty or Galliford Try.

Mr Brown said weather would play a part in determining the final opening schedule for the bypass.

He said in January it could open in April or May.

Mr Brown said: "It was important to visit the project today and give site representatives some assurances about the next few months, as it has been a worrying time.

"There is clearly much still to do, and weather will play a part in the final opening date."

Building firm Galliford Try said it planned to raise £150m from investors after Carillion's demise left a cash shortage on the Aberdeen Bypass project.

Image source, SEPA

The ongoing work is one of the biggest infrastructure projects in Scotland with a price tag of £745m.

Image source, Transport Scotland

Economy Secretary Keith Brown says he is going to focus mainly on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route / Balmedie to Tipperty project, external.

Henceforth we shall stick with the AWPR moniker it is more commonly referred toa s.

Image source, Thinkstock

Returning at 2.30pm there will be an update on major infrastructure projects.

This will be followed by a Scottish government debate on fairness in the workplace.

Image source, bbc

Mental Health Minister Mauren Watt says this has been an important debate in raising awareness of Down's Syndrome.

Ms Watt pays warm tribute to Chloe Lennon from Irvine for being chosen as the UK ambassador for global charity Nothing Down, external.

The video of Chloe Lennon was filmed by her mum Jade to promote worldwide awareness day, external on 21 March.

The minister goes on to thank Down's Syndrome Scotland , externalfor all their hard work and support.

Image source, bbc

Ms Watt concludes saying peoplw with Down's Syndrome want to contribute to all areas of live and calls for a whole-system whole-person approach to ensure that happens.

"Pull up your socks" isn't just a phrase to John Cronin. It's been the key to his entrepreneurial success.

Back in 2016, the 21-year-old told his dad, Mark, that he wanted them to start a business when he graduated from high school, but he wasn't sure what kind.

"My first suggestion was a fun store, but we didn't know what to sell," says John, a native of New York's Long Island.

Next he considered a food truck, but there was one problem: "We really can't cook!" jokes Mark.

Eventually, they settled on an idea.

"John had worn crazy and colourful socks his whole life, so it was something he loved and he suggested we should sell socks," says Mark.

And with that, John's Crazy Socks was born.

A year on, they say they've made $1.4m (£1.03m) in revenue, raised $30,000 for charity, and shipped socks to customers including Canada's Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and former US President, George HW Bush.

Read more.

Tory MSP Alexander Stewart says unlocking the potential of people with Down's helps increase their confidence and become more independent.

We should do all we can to support them because they can bring massive benefits to communities, Mr Stewart says.

Cardiff University has been awarded one of the most prestigious awards in research - for work that has helped transform the lives of children around the world who have Down's syndrome.

The condition means there is more risk of developing eyesight problems but until a dedicated unit was established at the university's school of optometry 25 years ago, very little was known about the effects.

James Harris, 12, likes to play video game at his home in Barry, Vale of Glamorgan, but he would not be able to without his specially-designed glasses.

His mother Kate talked to BBC Wales health correspondent Owain Clarke about the difference Dr Maggie Woodhouse and her team have made.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Kate Forbes says when her uncle was born with Down's Syndrome in the 70's, her father was told not to worry because there was places he could go.

Ms Forbes highlights how times have changed since and says her uncle celebrated his 50th birthday last year, highlighting huge progress in life expectancy for those with Down's Syndrome.

She highlights the fun she has spending time with her uncle and his friends with the condition and says it is heartbreaking some people choose to terminate pregancies on finding the foetus has Down's Syndrome.

Image source, SPL

Fewer Scottish women are terminating pregnancies following a Down's syndrome diagnosis, according to research.

The rate of pregnancies ended after tests showed chromosomal abnormality for the condition was said to be 85.2% by 2011 compared to 97.3% in the 1990s.

The Scottish Learning Disabilities Observatory (SLDO) study followed debate over whether a new prenatal test might lead to a rise in terminations.

Researchers said the findings might reflect changes in attitudes.

Read more here.

Lib Dem MSP Alex Cole-Hamilton says he has been marking Down's Syndrome Awareness Week by wearing odd socks every single day of the year!

He says medical staff must have proper awareness to be able to explain to parents what Down's syndrome means and challenge the idea that it is a "life sentence".

Mr Cole-Hamilton says we must keep Down's syndrome in our minds for everything we do in the chamber because living with the disability is just "a different kind of normal".

Image source, bbc

Labour MSP David Stewart welcomes the World Down Syndrome Congress 2018 coming to Glasgow.

Mr Stewart says the reduction in ASN teachers must be addressed.

He ends by quoting American educator and businessman Stephen Covey: "Strength lies in difference not in similarities."

Tory MSP Brian Whittle praises "local Ayrshire heroine" Fiona Davidson, who has Down's syndrome and works at the local swimming pool as a coach.

He notes she is in a minority of adults with learning disabilities in paid employment.

It is incumbent on MSPs to ensure all "real or perceived" barriers to work are removed, the Tory MSP argues.

Ms Davidson has an obvious talent and benefits society as a whole, Mr Whittle says.

There are about 3,500 people with Down's Syndrome in Scotland.

And, according to a report, there's a significant gap in their NHS care provision.

The report also highlights negative attitudes from health professionals and poor communication with their families.

Image source, bbc

SNP MSP Kenneth Gibson says the video of five year old Chloe, posted by her mum Jade from Irvine in Ayrshire, which has gone viral, has been an inspiration.

Mr Gibson also highlights the carpool karaoke mums' Down's syndrome video.

A mother has said she is amazed after more than a million people watched the video celebrating children with Down's syndrome., external

Image source, Rebecca Carless

Rebecca Carless, from Coventry, joined 49 other mothers from an online support group to make the video ahead of World Down's Syndrome Day on 21 March.

It has since been watched and shared by people all over the globe, including celebrities such as James Corden.

She said seeing the reaction from people online had been "mad".

It's a must see!

Image source, You tube

Image source, bbc

Ms Lamont says people with Down's Syndrome say accessing paid work remains a challenge for those with the condition.

The Scottish Labour leader says the employment rate for those with Down's Syndrome is between 7 to 25% and is far less the Scottish average of 73%.

"Why is this not a source of greater outrage to us all?"

She praises the work of Down Syndrome Scotland and the work on the World Down Syndrome Congress 2018 coming to Glasgow.

Wondering what all the socks are about? Down's Syndrome Scotland explains...

Image source, Down's Syndrome Scotland

Lots of socks, external is a fun initiative in the lead up to Down’s Syndrome Awareness Day on 21 March every year.

Why socks? Well, because chromosomes look like socks and people with Down’s syndrome have an extra chromosome!

“Lots of Socks” is acknowledged around the world as being associated with Down’s syndrome.