Trinity Mirror has unveiled a new website aimed at 50m Scottish expats around the world.

Scotland Now has been launched ahead of this year’s Commonwealth Games and the referendum on Scottish independence in the autumn.

The site – www.scotlandnow.com – will deliver a daily diet of news, sport, comment and features and is targeted at the 50m people with Scottish links who live round the world.

Trinity Mirror’s Scottish arm Media Scotland says it will aim to “positively reinforce the message that Scotland continues to exert a powerful influence around the world.”

Scotland Now will be led by editor Katrina Tweedie and supported by a team of editorial and commercial staff as well as a network of globally-based contributors.

Said Katrina: “Unashamedly patriotic, Scotland Now will be a place for Scots throughout the world to share what we’re talking, reading, thinking and laughing about.

“Working with like-minded partners our goal is to promote and celebrate everything that makes Scotland great and to embrace our extraordinary global family.”

Allan Rennie, Media Scotland’s managing director, added: “If ever there was a time to harness the energy of the diaspora it is now – when the eyes of the world are on Scotland.

“This is a dynamic development and shows the level of digital ambition we have within the business.

” Ultimately, our aim is to make the site the number one destination for Scots, and fans of Scotland, wherever they are in the world.”

The launch of the new site has been warmly welcomed by Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond.

He said: “I’d like to wish the very best to Scotland Now, another publication to add to our thriving media industry and at long last a platform to connect the millions of Scots around the world with what’s happening back home.”