The First Minister will kick off her first official visit to the United States tomorrow with an appearance on one of the country's most treasured - and foul-mouthed - TV shows.

Nicola Sturgeon will begin a week of engagements in New York and Washington DC by appearing on the Daily Show with Jon Stewart, the late-night satirical programme that has become the source of serious political news for many young Americans.

Famous for Stewart's caustic and often obscene opening monologues, the show's previous guests include Presidents Barack Obama and Bill Clinton, Prime Ministers Gordon Brown and Tony Blair, and a string of other world leaders, celebrities, academics and authors.

On past form, Sturgeon should expect a degree of mockery as well as sharp questioning from Stewart, who has helped win the show 18 Primetime Emmys as its host since 1999.

Confirming that the First Minister would appear on Monday in New York, the show's website initially advertised her as a "comedian" but later changed it to politician.

Sturgeon's TV gig is the light-hearted exception to an otherwise serious trip focused on inward investment, the economy, and fact-finding visits to schools and hospitals.

There will also be meetings at the World Bank, IMF, an address to the Council on Foreign Relations, a visit to the US Holocaust Memorial Museum, and a fundraising event for the restoration of Glasgow School of Art following last year's devastating fire.

Sturgeon said: "Primarily this visit is about promoting Scotland as an attractive place to live, visit, do business, study and invest and to build on the already strong relationship between our two countries.

"I am looking forward to meeting with leaders in the US who are pioneering educational and health systems that are raising attainment and improving the lives of sick children."