Acting First Minister Jim Wallace

Mr Dewar appeared relaxed as he chatted with users of Antonine Court, the home of the Drumchapel Disabled Action Group.

He presented the keys for the bus, which was funded by the National Lottery Charities' Board, to group chairman Andrew McNaught.

In return, Mr Dewar was presented with a book on Scottish art as a gift from the group to mark his return to public life.

Leaving the centre, Mr Dewar said: "I'm feeling fine. I'm looking forward to getting back to work on Monday and getting stuck into it."

Donald Dewar: "Feeling fine"

Mr Dewar's official duties have been carried out in his absence by Deputy First Minister Jim Wallace.

Despite his period of recuperation, Mr Dewar has kept a close eye on proceedings in the Scottish Parliament.

He sent Tom McCabe, the Minister for Parliament, in July to deliver a stern warning to his Labour colleagues on the Scottish Executive.

He told them to stop squabbling - or face the sack, after a row broke out between Finance Minister Jack McConnell and Health Minister Susan Deacon over �34m of unspent health cash.

Mr McCabe said he had never seen Mr Dewar so angry and told Labour group members they must stop briefing against one another.