Scottish Conservative leader Ruth Davidson has said Donald Trump's view of America departs from reality.

Writing in the Scotsman, she said the US leader wants people to believe his vision of his country is the only option.

"Mr Trump's narrow vision of America - blustering, boastful and bullying - simply doesn't relate to the reality," she wrote.

"Mr Trump wants to have us believe there is only one America - his. He is wrong - and we should never forget it.

"America does not conform to Mr Trump's small and insular vision of it, nor does it have need of being made great again: it is already a hotbed of intellectual, cultural and technological greatness."

She warned against "inflating Mr Trump's ego even more by fearing him too much".

She criticised his recent meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin, calling it an "obsequious performance", adding: "Here was the president of the United States fawning over a Russian hardman."

The Tory leader also took a swipe at former SNP leader Alex Salmond, who said in a 2014 interview he admired "certain aspects" of Mr Putin's politics and credited him for restoring pride to the Russian people.

Ms Davidson said: "Nothing attracts a wannabe strong man, it seems, like thuggish strength. And, in the case of both the former First Minister and current US president, Putin has - sadly - succeeded in that task."