SCOTLAND'S islands will move to level 1 due to vaccination coverage and low case numbers.

Western Isles, Orkney, Shetland, all islands in the Highland Council area with the exception of Skye and the islands in the Argyll and Bute area are affected.

In level 1 up to six people from three households can meet in homes and stay overnight.

Up to eight people from three households can meet in indoor places like cafes, pubs and restaurants.

Up to 12 people from 12 households are allowed to meet outdoors in a garden or other public place.

Up to 100 people can attend weddings and funerals, and trades people are allowed to carry out work in your home.

However working from home is still encouraged where possible.

Meanwhile, people in Scotland will be able to hug their loved ones from Monday, Nicola Sturgeon announced.

READ MORE: Nicola Sturgeon update: Lockdown restrictions lifted for most of Scotland

The First Minister said at the coronavirus briefing in Edinburgh that social distancing during meetings indoors or in private gardens will be dropped.

“I actually feel a wee bit emotional saying this, from Monday, as long as you stay within permitted limits, you can hug your loved ones again,” she said.

But the First Minister said it remains “vital to be cautious”, saying that dropping social distancing will be reviewed for all situations in the coming weeks.

Caution should also be used where a vulnerable person is involved, the First Minister said.

Sturgeon also announced the Scottish Government would go further on easing restrictions, allowing six people from three households to meet indoors.

The “huge success” of the vaccination programme along with compliance with restrictions has meant Scotland’s coronavirus figures have continued to fall, Sturgeon said.

In the last three weeks, the First Minister said, case numbers have dropped from an average of 226 per day to 177 per day.

However, a very slight increase across the country has been logged, mainly due to the outbreak in Moray, the First Minister said.

“The situation in Moray, together with the emergence of new variants globally, should be a sharp reminder to all of us that the virus remains a real threat,” the First Minister said.