Some of the famous Lewis Chessmen are to be reunited for the first time in more than 150 years.

A number of the artefacts currently held in the British Museum in London are to be released temporarily for a Scottish tour.

Culture Minister Mike Russell is expected to unveil details of the deal later today.

And it is believed that 25 or more of the 82 pieces kept south of the border will join the 11 pieces held by the National Museum of Scotland for a mobile exhibition.

The 12th century chessmen were found on a beach on the Isle of Lewis in 1831. They were later sold by an Edinburgh dealer, while those that remained in Scotland were bought for the National Museum in 1888, with the 11th piece being added later.

The tour follows a move by the Scottish Government to try to have all the pieces repatriated to Scotland.

The British Museum turned down the case, saying it would set a precedent for the return of artefacts to other countries.

But now opposition MSPs say the tour is a sensible compromise which will prevent a political row over where Scottish artefacts are displayed.

Some of the British Museum's chessmen have previously taken a tour regional England but this is the first time they will travel north of the border.