Workers at Scottish Government offices - including the three main sites of Victoria Quay, St Andrew’s House and Saughton House- are being given the opportunity to take part in transcendental meditation-style astroshamanism as part of 'Learning at Work' week.

Astroshamanism classes are available to the 2,000 workforce at Victoria Quay. Sources who disclosed emails sent to staff said the course was described as “a system of healing and empowerment that uses shamanic techniques in conjunction with experiential astrology to enable people to develop connection with their inner sources of strength and achieve balance and harmony in their life”.

Other skills on offer include jive and line dancing, Tai Chi, snooker, bowls, adventure motor-cycling and light-aircraft flying.

St Andrews House is offering aerobics and a two-hour line-dancing class. Gaelic lessons, anger management classes and guided walks through Holyrood Park are also available.

A Scottish Government spokesman said: “We are leading by example in encouraging employers to develop skills at work. This is about staff offering to share skills from outside of work with their colleagues, at no cost. These events are predominantly run in-house so that we do not incur costs for venues. No costs are incurred in relation to trainers — activities are run by staff for staff. This is a very low-cost learning opportunity and the total cost is approximately £200.”