Nicola Sturgeon’s time as a powerhouse in Scottish politics has spanned almost 40 years.
The 54-year-old may have qualified as a solicitor early in her professional career, but it is in politics where she has truly made her mark ever since joining the SNP as a member at the age of 16.
Ms Sturgeon would go on to be elected to the Scottish Parliament in 1999, firstly as an additional member for the Glasgow electoral region before becoming the MSP for Glasgow Southside in 2007.
The MSP would go on to succeed Alex Salmond as SNP leader and First Minister in 2014, serving in the role for almost a decade, until her resignation in 2023.
Her spell as leader of Scotland would span the Covid-19 pandemic, and she has credited improvements to the Scottish Child Payment among her crowning achievements.
As Ms Sturgeon announces she is stepping down at next year’s Scottish election, The Scotsman looks back at her political career in photographs.
5. Blowing a kiss as new SNP leader
Newly appointed SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon blows a kiss after her speech at the annual party conference at Perth Concert Hall in 2014 | PA
6. Re-elected in 2021 as First Minister
SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon in the main chamber after being re-elected as Scotland's First Minister at Holyrood following the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. | PA
7. Meeting Boris Johnson in 2019
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon not overjoyed at shaking hands with Prime Minister Boris Johnson outside Bute House in Edinburgh ahead of their 2019 meeting. | PA
8. Sturgeon and Alex Salmond at the 2014 SNP spring conference
First Minister Alex Salmond (left) with Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon after her speech at the SNP Spring Conference in Aberdeen | PA