Minister for Public Health Shona Robison dropped in on staff and patients at Maggie's Highlands Centre in Inverness yesterday.

She was in the north to announce an additional £8m to develop interactive care services for vulnerable people in their own homes.

She said she knew and admired the Maggie's Centre principles from her local facility in Dundee and was delighted to visit its Highland counterpart situated next door to Raigmore Hospital.

"The dramatic architecture grabs you but when you walk into a Maggie's centre there is a lovely feel to it. That makes you feel at your ease. It is that discreet feel that is so vital to people who have a diagnosis of cancer, or have a family member or friend who has.

"The NHS can only do so much . . . the Maggie's Centre is here when people need it."

Her visit came a day after The Herald launched its campaign in support of the network of Maggie's centres, one of the keynote projects to mark the newspaper's 225th anniversary.

The minister welcomed the campaign: "It is absolutely right that The Herald raises awareness in this way."