The number of Scots in work is at its highest for more than four years, new figures have revealed.
Official statistics for the period April to June showed a total of 253,100 people in employment - a rise of 13,000 over the quarter and 31,000 higher than for the same period last year.
That is the highest total since the start of 2009, according to the Scottish Government.
At the same time as employment increased, the jobless total fell.
Over the three months from April to June, unemployment, which includes those who are out of work and not eligible for benefits, fell by 1,000 to stand at 198,000.
The jobless total is now 17,000 less than for the same time last year.
The number of Scots who are out of work and claiming jobseeker's allowance also dropped by 2,900 from June to 129,300 last month - the lowest total since June 2009.
Scotland continues to have a higher employment rate and a lower unemployment rate that the UK as a whole.
The employment rate north of the border is 72.1%, compared to 71.5% for the UK. Across the UK as a whole, 7.8% of people are out of work while the proportion in Scotland is 7.2%
The number of 16 to 24-year-olds who are out of work has also continued to fall, with the Scottish youth unemployment rate now standing at 19.1%.
Finance Secretary John Swinney said the figures showed "further progress" was being made with the economy.
"The employment rate in Scotland continues to rise and is higher than the other three nations of the UK," he said
"Not only is the unemployment rate lower than this time last year, but the number of people claiming jobseeker's allowance has fallen to its lowest level since June 2009.
"Our youth employment rate is also surpassing that of the UK."
Mr Swinney said the "relentless focus of the Scottish Government on boosting employment and the economy is delivering progress".
He added: "We can build on these figures but we cannot allow Westminster's continued pursuit of austerity over economic recovery to derail the positive developments we are seeing in Scotland."
Scottish Secretary Michael Moore said the figures were "encouraging news".
The UK Government minister added: "I welcome the rise in employment of 13,000 over the last quarter and the fall in unemployment over the same period as well as a decrease in the number claiming jobseeker's allowance for the ninth consecutive month.
"It means 12,900 fewer people are claiming unemployment benefit compared to one year ago."
He continued: "We are seeing some positive signs in our economy's recovery but it is important we keep focusing on creating the best conditions for growth and jobs.
"Investment is a key way to stimulate the labour market and we must use Scotland's capital spending power increase to £3.3 billion in the last spending round to best effect.
â?ª"Next month I will meet all those involved in the Scottish Employability Forum to build on our collective efforts to get people in Scotland back into jobs."
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