Book character Katie Morag features on Nicola Sturgeon's 2015 Christmas card

Children's book character, Katie Morag, takes centre stage on Nicola Sturgeon's Christmas card

Children's character Katie Morag is featured on First Minister Nicola Sturgeon's 2015 Christmas card.

Mairi Hedderwick, author and illustrator of the ginger-haired Isle of Struay adventurer, produced the festive drawing.

The picture shows children from around the world being welcomed to Ms Sturgeon's official residence, Bute House in Edinburgh.

Cards will feature the print and the original will be auctioned for charity.

The proceeds of the sale will be shared between four charities;

• Enable Scotland

• Children 1st

• Books Abroad

• the Scottish Refugee Council

Ms Sturgeon said: "I am delighted that Mairi Hedderwick was able to create such a wonderful illustration for this year's Christmas card.

"Katie Morag's adventures accompanied by Mairi's beautiful illustrations are adored by both children and adults right across the world.

"Christmas is a time for spending time with those that we love, but it is also a time for thinking about those less fortunate than ourselves."

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, with Mairi Hedderwick and Cherry Campbell who plays Katie Morag on TV

She added: "There is no doubt that Scotland is a caring and compassionate country but this year in particular, I have been so proud of the warm welcome and kindness which has been extended to all who have come here."

Two years ago, the popular children's book was adapted for television and is shown on the BBC's Cbeebies channel. The key role is played by young actress Cherry Campbell who posed with the Christmas illustration alongside Ms Hedderwick and Ms Sturgeon.

Special packs of past first minister Christmas card will go on sale in National Galleries of Scotland shops in Edinburgh from next week.

They will feature the artwork of Jack Vettriano, Elizabeth Blackadder, John Lowrie Morrison, Peter Howson and Phyllis Dodd.

All profits will be split between 2014's charities;

• the Catherine McEwan Foundation

• The Mackintosh Appeal

• Legion Scotland

• Scotland's Charity Air Ambulance

• Yorkhill Children's Charity.

How much have Scottish first minister Christmas cards raised for charity?

2007: John Lowrie Morrison "Snow Falls on Linlithgow", Who Cares Scotland - £10,000

2008: John Bellany "The Homecoming", Aberdeen Cyrenians, Islamic Relief, SCIAF, RNLI - £10,000

2009: Gerard Burns "A New Journey", CLIC Sergeant, Glasgow the Caring City, JACK Foundation, Mary's Meals - £7,000

2010: Jack Vettriano "Lets Twist Again", Charities: Bethany Christian Trust, Maggies Cancer Caring Centres, Quarriers, Teenage Cancer Trust £68,000 for original and £18,000 for prints.

2011: Alasdair Gray, "Bella Caledonia", Charities: CHAS, SCIAF, Glenachiulish Preservation Trust, Save Small Tribes Trust - £4,800

2012: Elizabeth Blackadder, "Flowers" Charities: Sick Kids Friends Fund, Dyslexia Scotland, Breakthrough breast Cancer, Scottish Steelworkers Memorial Fund - £12,000

2013: Peter Howson, "Artaban" Charities: SCIAF, CHAS, Combat Stress and CLIC Sargent - £16,000