It is now illegal for millions of Scots to travel to an airport - despite still being allowed to take flights abroad under new rules, it has been revealed.
The Scottish Government yesterday announced travel restrictions that ban more than two million people living under level three or four of lockdown to travel outside of their council area.
SNP minister Mike Russell was today quizzed by members of Holyrood's Covid committee on the practicalities of the new restrictions.
Scottish Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie asked whether the new travel ban also covered non-essential international travel.
Russell said no - but insisted any travel to an airport or ferry port in order to take a non-essential flight or sailing would be considered illegal.
The SNP minister said: “International travel won’t be illegal because that is for the UK to do that, but travelling to the airport or to a port for that purpose would be against the regulations.”
He added that Scots living in Edinburgh or Glasgow would also be banned from travelling to airports within their respective cities.
It creates a scenario where those living in the cities could travel to their nearest airport to take a Covid test, but would be fined if they attempted to take a flight.
Reacting to the news, Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard said: "This is absolutely nonsensical.
"We need clarity urgently, not yet more poorly-conceived legislation that raises as many questions as it answers."
