The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland is to visit Faslane Naval Base as part of a historic visit to the Presbytery of Dumbarton this week.

The Faslane visit is one of the highlight's of the Rt Rev Alan McDonald's week in the Dumbarton Presbytery. He will be greeted by Admiral Phillip Wilcocks and given a tour of the base.

Following this, the Moderator will visit and meet with the protesters at Faslane Peace Camp, which has been occupied since 1982.

His visit follows the Long Walk for Peace last month from Faslane to the Scottish Houses of Parliament together with the Archbishop of Glasgow, Dr Mario Conti.

The Moderator will meet with local representatives including Jo Swinson MP, Des McNulty MP and Alan Reid MP.

He will also share a Halal afternoon tea with leaders and members of the local Muslim community.

Part of the weeklong tour of the Dumbarton Presbytery includes a visit to the facilities of the Red Tower Rehabilitation Centre in Helensburgh, where Rev McDonald will meet the centre's clients.

The Moderator will also take part in a civic reception at Clydebank Town Hall and visit the Clydebank Rebuilt site - a project to regenerate the Clydebank area by developing economy, environment, buildings and society.

The Moderator's visit began yesterday and will continue until 30 October.