Chelsea Clinton has said that having two women leaders is "extraordinary" for Scottish children.

Speaking to STV News at the Edinburgh International Book Festival, the daughter of former US President Bill Clinton said the dynamic of having two female leaders is a clear statement of female power.

"I think that for children growing up in Scotland to see the First Minister and key leader of the opposition both being women is an extraordinary dynamic for not only little girls, but also little boys, to see such clear statements of female power and empowerment," she said.

"Certainly as an American, one of the things that I really admire about the First Minister is her candour in talking about the challenges of being the first female First Minister.

"Historically women have been loathed to talk about the challenges - whether the challenges of sexism or balancing different parts of our lives."

She added: "Yet the silence around that in some ways has made it harder for women because it deters so many women who sense that but don't know what that would mean.

"Hopefully by being clear about those challenges and demonstrating overcoming those challenges it will encourage other women to enter the political arena."

Growing up in the White House, Chelsea said she saw her parents as of equal importance to the country, and equally inspiring to her.

"Growing up in the White House I saw both my parents both do anything and everything they could to try to help people in the US and around the world have healthier, more secure, more stable, prosperous futures," she continued.

"So while my father was President, my mother was engaged in work that was centred around women, children and families broadly, and so I had both of those inspiring examples and one never felt more inspiring than the other."

During President Trump's campaign, and since his presidency, Chelsea says there has been a "worrying rise" in bullying in schools.

"Young kids are siding with what the President has said to demean people of colour, immigrant children, girls - taking his words and throwing them with vile and meanness at other kids," she added.

"I think we desperately need to detoxify our environment to not only protect the children who are being unfairly targeted, but to help the bullies themselves understand that's not appropriate or healthy for them.

"I think we do that by sharing stories of people who don't do that or act that way."

The 38-year-old is visiting the capital city to share her two books, She Persisted and She Persisted Around the World, which celebrate women who have used their voices and determination to change and shape history.

She said her story of persistence would be that she is part of the "wave of Americans who are persisting not to lose focus for what we believe is important."

She added: "We don't agree with the substance of what President Trump is doing and the way in which he's doing it - we don't agree with his cruelty, his incompetence or corruption.

"For me, my most important persisting moment is one which I know millions of Americans would echo, is that we need to persist in this moment to try to stop bad things happening and help good things happen wherever possible."

One Scottish woman that had a positive influence on her life is JK Rowling, and so she included her story of persistence in her latest book.

"I included the Harry Potter books because my husband gave them to me when I was quite sick with pneumonia and I had to take time off work - he said these would make the time pass much more quickly, and they did," she said.

"JK Rowling has meant so much to millions of readers around the world, myself included.

"So many women are in awe of her persistence to bring her brand of magic into the world, and we're all better and richer for it."