The Scottish Government has pledged to ensure the whole of Scotland has superfast broadband in the next five years.

The Government's new digital strategy also aims to double the number of digital jobs to 150,000 by 2021, and develop "world-leading" resilience against cyber-attack.

Officials define superfast broadband as delivering headline download speeds of 30mb per second or higher and the Government's paper reveals this covers 83% of Scotland - but 46% of rural areas.

Further pledges in the policy include creating a digital schools programme to increase the number of coding clubs and £36 million of loans for businesses to improve digital skills.

Launching the strategy during a visit in Glasgow, Finance Secretary Derek Mackay said: "Digital is transforming the way we live. It is connecting us faster than ever before while putting more power into the hands of service users.

"There is a huge opportunity here and now to ensure that people, businesses and organisations across Scotland are given the tools and skills they need to harness this potential.

"Our vision is for Scotland to become even more digitally competitive and attractive. By developing our existing workforce and increasing our digital capabilities across society and the business community, we will ensure that our citizens have the opportunity to improve their digital skills with everyone who wants to get connected able to do so, and public services designed by and for citizens that are secure. This will in turn will have a positive impact on growing our economy."

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) urged the Government to back up the new strategy with quick action.

Andy Willox, FSB's Scottish policy convener, said: "A Government strategy document rarely excites small firms. But little is more important to Scotland's business community than enhancing our country's digital capabilities. This wide-ranging publication must be matched with political and entrepreneurial drive to swiftly deliver change.

"Scottish Government figures show 75% of Scottish businesses believe digital technology is essential or important to their plans for growth.

"To achieve these ambitions, firms need access to the right skills and modern digital infrastructure - specifically broadband and mobile coverage. Progress on these fronts cannot come quickly enough."