FMQs: Nicola Sturgeon says 'Dunblane tragedy etched into our memories'

The 25th anniversary of the Dunblane primary school shooting, which falls this Saturday, was marked in Holyrood today.

Nicola Sturgeon has said the Dunblane shootings were etched on people's memories.

Scottish Greens MSP Alison Johnstone urged the chamber during First Minister Question’s to “remember the lives lost that day and commit to ensuring it never happens again”.

She said the “tragic day” was one Scotland would never forget.

Thomas Hamilton killed 16 pupils and their teacher Gwen Mayor, as well as injured 15 others, before killing himself on March 13, 1996 in what was the deadliest mass shooting in British history.

Hamilton had four handguns, which he was legally able to own, but as a result of the massacre, two new Firearms Acts were passed to outlaw the private ownership of most handguns within the UK.

Responding to Ms Johnstone’s remarks, Nicola Sturgeon said that “every single one of us, including those of us old enough to remember that day vividly, will be thinking of the families who lost children that day, the family of the teacher whose life was taken, and of course all the community in Dunblane”.

The First Minister added: “That was a day etched on the memories and into the hearts of everybody across Scotland, and my thoughts are with everyone affected by that dreadful day in Scotland’s history.”

Lorraine Kelly presents a new ITV documentary to mark the disaster’s anniversary, Return to Dunblane, which airs tonight at 9pm. The presenter was in the town the day after the shooting to report on the tragedy, and the documentary sees her talk to survivors and families of those who died.

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