Educational psychologists have travelled to the island of Barra to support all those affected by the Manchester attack, which killed Eilidh MacLeod and seriously injured Laura MacIntyre.
First minister Nicola Sturgeon made the announcement at FMQs yesterday, as MSPs across the chamber paid tribute and sent their best wishes to the family and friends of the girls.
She said: “I understand the director of education, who is himself an educational psychologist, is on Barra, and a further educational psychologist and an NHS clinical psychologist are travelling there today.
“Between them, they will focus on the support the families of, and those who were closest to, the two girls will need.
“Of course – and people will understand and agree with this – their aim will be to keep things as normal as possible for the school the girls attended, but to make sure support is in place for young people who are going to need it.”
Ms Sturgeon also said she had been angered by leaks from USA security and fully supported the prime minister’s decision to cut off information sharing.
She added: “The ability of countries to share intelligence confidentially and securely is one of the things that help to keep us safe.
“The importance of that, and of having trusted arrangements in place such as the five eyes system, cannot be overestimated.
“I share the UK Government’s anger and disbelief that very sensitive details from an on-going live investigation have been leaked to the media in America.
“That is completely unacceptable and I think all of us should make it clear it is unacceptable and cannot be defended in any way, shape or form.”
However, Ms Sturgeon added she hoped information sharing could resume as soon as possible.
She said: “I know the UK Government will have taken its decision with regret, but it is right to stop sharing – for a short period, I hope – such intelligence information with the American Government.
“I know the UK Government will want to do that for as short a period as possible and the Prime Minister has said that she will raise the issue with President Trump.
“I very much hope the American Government will give assurances that allow a speedy return to the sharing of intelligence, which is such an important part of keeping safe not just the population in the UK, but populations all around the world.”