The Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, the Right Reverend David Lacy, is due to visit a vessel used as part of a much-needed social welfare project for less advantaged communities along the River Amazon and its tributaries.

Rev Lacy will tour the Hope II, currently berthed at South Queensferry, which is scheduled to transport aid and medical assistance up the Amazon to street children in Peru later in the month.

The Hope II, which supports the medical work of the Vine Trust, was recently re-commissioned by Princess Anne, who toured the ship with her husband Rear Admiral Timothy Laurence.

The first ship, Amazon Hope, featured in the BBC television documentary Ferry Up the Amazon which charted the voyage to from Glasgow to Iquitos in September 2001.

The 2001 voyage was undertaken in order to transport healthcare facilities to some of the less advantaged communities dotted along the Amazon and her tributaries.

The Moderator is also due to take part in a pilgrimage to the ancient Christian site of Inchcolm Island later in the month.