The US ambassador to the UK has warned of a "growing gulf" in politics during a visit to Scotland.

Matthew Barzun said too many people were "talking past each other" and urged different groups to work together at an event Glasgow on Thursday.

Mr Barzun told politicians and industry leaders at the annual CBI Scotland business dinner it is "easy building walls" but that "building bridges is harder".

The ambassador said: "Let's look at politics at home, on both sides of the aisle, both sides of the UK, and something uneasy is going on.

"There is something that I think we're feeling when some of these thing we have relied on, like international rules-based order and alliances and other things, now people are questioning the validity of experts in fields and questioning the motives of leaders in the public sector and the private sector.

"People seem to be talking past each other and talking at each other. There seems to be a gulf that's growing."

He added: "What is easy is building walls. Anyone can build a wall, building bridges is harder and building bridges requires you to understand the other, listen to the other and to explore the other's shore. That's simple but it's hard."

It was Mr Barzun's ninth trip to Scotland since being appointed US ambassador in 2012. He will also visit Dundee and Dunfermline before returning to London.

During the EU referendum campaign the CBI had warned of "negative echoes" lasting many years if the UK voted to leave.

CBI director general Carolyn Fairbairn said productivity growth should now be the single most important aim for business and government over the next five years.

Other speakers included Andrew Bester, chief executive of commerical banking at Lloyds, who said businesses are facing "uncertain times".

He said: "Yes, this is uncharted territory. But we are committed to supporting Scottish firms - your start-ups, your growing businesses, your exporters, the country's crucial economic sectors. And in everything from our strategy, through to our products, services and people, we are set up to help our clients succeed."