PRIMARY school kids in Clackmannanshire are being asked to come up with a name for the world’s first ever Highland Coosmonaut.

VisitScotland, the national tourism board, are launching a cuddly toy Highland Coo 40,000 metres into the stratosphere wearing a Clan Armstrong spacesuit.

The event is being organised to celebrate Scotland’s connection to the first moonwalk in 1969, with Neil Armstrong said to be proud of his Scottish heritage.

Ohio-born Armstrong was made the first and only town freeman of Langholm in Dumfries which is the ancestral home of Clan Armstrong.

On being given the honour, Armstrong said: “It’s said that the most difficult place to be recognised is in one’s own hometown. And I consider this, now, my hometown.”

Wee County school pupils will now get to be part of the historic event by submitting ideas for what the cuddly toy should be named.

Over the next four weeks, the public can track the Highland Coosmonaut’s training regime in a series of films on social media using the hashtag #Coosmonaut.

The Coosmonaut's spacesuit was specially made by Vintage Bunting in the Scottish Borders, using Clan Armstrong tartan supplied by Lochcarron of Scotland.

Malcolm Roughead, chief executive of VisitScotland, said: “For 50 years VisitScotland has helped position Scotland as a must-visit destination to audiences across the world but our latest campaign could be described as truly ‘out of this world’.

“The impact of tourism goes far beyond the holiday experience. It is vital to the Scottish economy, reaching every corner of the country, creating jobs, income and social change.

“The Scotland is Out of this World campaign is an opportunity to delve into the past and celebrate our country’s ancestral links to one of the greatest moments in history, as well as explore the innovations and attractions that engage with audiences fascinated with the night sky.”

The Name the Highland Coosmonaut competition will run until 23:59 on Sunday, June 16. For more on the campaign and to enter the competition, go to visitscotland.com/out-of-this-world.