The Scottish Government was accused today of "blatant electioneering" after it revealed its choice of venues for this year’s summer cabinet tour.

It was announced today that First Minister Alex Salmond and his key ministers will hold meetings in Dornoch, Stirling, the Isle of Bute and Kilmarnock.

The Tories claim that three of the venues are in SNP marginal seats and another will be targeted by the Nationalists at next year's election.

"This cannot be allowed to go ahead without a proper explanation from the SNP," Tory deputy leader Murdo Fraser said.

"How can it be justified? It is bad enough the SNP uses our money for political purposes but now they are openly campaigning with it.

"The SNP should pay for this summer electioneering itself, not leave taxpayers to pick up the bill."

However, a spokesman for Mr Salmond dismissed the Tory claims as "daft".

He added: "Since 2007 the Scottish Government's summer cabinets have gone to all of Scotland's airts and pairts - north, south, east and west - and opposition members have participated in local events.

"If any opposition MSPs are against Scotland's cabinet going to these communities this summer, so that local people can question government ministers, then they should simply say so.

"The obvious fact is that, unlike the Tories, the Scottish Government party has seats in every area of Scotland."

The SNP won Argyll and Bute, Stirling and the Kilmarnock and Loudon seat for the first time in 2007, with majorities of fewer than 1,500.

The Nationalists are fewer than 2,000 votes behind in the Dornoch constituency of Caithness, Sutherland and Easter Ross, where the sitting Liberal Democrat MSP Jamie Stone is standing down next year.

As well as cabinet meetings, the two-day events will include public meetings and other ministerial engagements.

Hundreds of people took part in two previous years of summer cabinet programmes in Dundee, Melrose, Stornoway, Aberdeen, Glasgow, Dumfries, Inverness, Pitlochry and Skye.

Mr Salmond said today: "Last year's programme received a positive and enthusiastic reception from Scottish communities and this summer we aim to build on that success by taking the Government to towns across the country and encouraging debate on our aspirations and future vision for Scotland."

The first stop will be Dornoch on July 26 and 27, then Stirling on August 9 and 10, the Isle of Bute on August 23 and 24 and finally to Kilmarnock on September 6 and 7.