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.
17. Casting votes in the 2019 general election
The-then SNP leader Nicola Sturgeon with husband Peter Murrell as they cast their votes in the 2019 General Election at Broomhouse Park Community Hall in Glasgow. | PA
18. Campaigning in 2015
Nicola Sturgeon enjoys a cup of tea with Alex Salmond while on the general election campaign trail in Inverurie in the Gordon constituency in 2015. | PA
19. The Glasgow count in the 2022 local government elections
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon arrives in the count hall with Susan Aitken (right) at the Glasgow City Council count at the Emirates Arena in Glasgow, in the local government elections in May 2022. | PA
20. Leaving the Covid-19 inquiry in Edinburgh
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon departs the UK Covid inquiry at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre in January 2024 | Getty Images