Ruth Davidson is to write a book exploring the lives of the world's most powerful women.

The leader of the Scottish Conservatives will speak to a number of successful women in the coming year and feature their experiences in the book, in the hope of inspiring others.

The book, to be published by Hodder & Stoughton in 2018, will look at women who are world leaders, international pop stars, corporate CEOs and Army chiefs.

Ms Davidson said: "This book is for every daughter, every mother, every aunt and every niece.

"It tracks the great societal shifts that have brought us to where we are as well as the individuals who have helped nudge us another fraction towards the tipping point.

"As more and more women own the future, I hope very much that this book will become an obsolete curio in my lifetime; a text to be puzzled over as to why it needed to be written at all."

Rupert Lancaster, of Hodder & Stoughton, said: "I very much admire Ruth Davidson's approach to politics, where she brings wit and clarity of thought to an arena where both are often sadly lacking.

"We're delighted and honoured that she has chosen Hodder & Stoughton to be the publishers of her first book."

Ms Davidson studied English and Scottish literature at Edinburgh University before working as a journalist for more than 10 years.

She was elected to the Scottish Parliament in May 2011 and became leader of the Scottish Tories in November of the same year.