FIRST Minister Nicola Sturgeon has revealed the story of a "tense" experience while she was staying at Balmoral.

The SNP leader told Holyrood's condolences session how her husband saved one of the Queen’s corgis from being electrocuted.

Speaking in honour of the late monarch, Sturgeon told of how she and Peter Murrell were sat with the Queen before dinner in the drawing room when a light started to flicker.

The FM said Murrell had managed to stop the dog, a puppy named Sandy, from chewing through a lamp switch after noticing the light fail.

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“To my great alarm, he was, after all, in the presence of Her Majesty, my husband suddenly leapt up and darted across the floor,” the First Minister said.

“Peter had spotted the cause of the flickering light.

“One of the Queen’s young Corgis, a beautiful pup called Sandy, was eating through a lamp switch.

“Thankfully, tragedy was averted and Sandy emerged unscathed, though not before a ticking off from his mistress.”

The National:

Later, the First Minister said Scotland “stands ready” to support King Charles III as he continues his mother’s legacy of public service.

“We are honoured by the presence today of His Majesty, King Charles III, and The Queen Consort,” she said.

“Your Majesty, we stand ready to support you, as you continue your own life of service – and as you build on the extraordinary legacy of your beloved mother, our Queen.

“Queen Elizabeth, Queen of Scots – we are grateful for her life.

“May she now rest in peace.”