The former boss of a campaign to raise £15 million for a new children's hospital is alleged to have faked a £26.40 mileage claim over a meeting with a leading businessman that he says did not take place.

Elaine McGonigle, 50, is claimed to have submitted the bill for the cost of driving to see Donald Macdonald, the chairman and biggest shareholder of the Macdonald Hotels chain.

Mrs McGonigle, of Errol, Perthshire, faced Mr Macdonald from the dock at Edinburgh Sheriff Court as the businessman gave evidence at her trial.

She denies 13 charges of making false expenses worth £1855 as the director of the New Pyjamas campaign, which was raising funds for a new Royal Hospital For Sick Children in Edinburgh.

Mr Macdonald, 67, of Dunblane, Perthshire, told the court he had never made any donations to the hospital, its charities or met Mrs McGonigle as she had claimed on April 28, 2009.

The businessman had, however, met her previously when she worked for the Princess Royal Trust For Carers (PRTFC). He told the court there had been no contact between them since shortly after she left in 2007.

He said: "I had a lot of admiration for Elaine because she was very good at her job, very polished."

Asked about a statement he gave to police in 2011 following a claim by Mrs McGonigle that she visited him in his home, Mr Macdonald said that whatever Mrs McGonigle had said "the answer is 'no'".

He added: "I have not laid eyes on Elaine, since she left the PRTFC until this morning".

Businesswoman Ann Rushforth, 55, said Mrs McGonigle had been "very capable, efficient, hard-working and successful."

However, Mrs Rushforth, who is director of nursing at Scots Nursing, said she had no recollection of having dinner with Mrs McGonigle at the Western House Hotel, Ayr, in March 2009.

Mrs McGonigle charged the hospital charity £60 for accommodation.

The trial was adjourned until next week.