Nicola Sturgeon said she is “excited and a wee bit terrified” at what lies beyond Tuesday next week, when she officially resigns as First Minister.
Sturgeon was opening a £33 million treatment centre in Kirkcaldy, her last ever official engagement as SNP leader.
This comes just 24 hours after she made her last appearance at First Minister’s Questions.
Sturgeon was given a standing ovation after saying being First Minister “has been the privilege of my lifetime”, and she thanked Scots for “placing your trust in me”.
Speaking to Heart Scotland News in Kirkcaldy, Sturgeon described feeling “strange” at the prospect of leaving the post she has held for eight years.
She added that she was 100% certain it was the right decision but also had “mixed emotions”.
Sturgeon said: “This is a job like no other – I’ve loved it. It’s been really hard. I’ve led Scotland through the toughest period for all of us in our recent history.
“Stepping away from that, the adjustment after 16 years in government to not being in government is going to be, I guess, really difficult.
“Tuesday is the day I will officially tender my resignation. By Tuesday evening, we will have a new first minister.”
Either Scottish Health Secretary Humza Yousaf, Finance Secretary Kate Forbes or former community safety minister Ash Regan (above) will become Sturgeon's successor next week.
Sturgeon said that Wednesday morning will be the “first time in 16 years” that she will wake up with no government responsibilities.
“I don’t yet know what I’m going to do,” she said. "Maybe a lie in. I’ve taken up hill walking, so I’ll maybe go for a walk up a hill somewhere.”
She added: “If I was to sum up how I’m feeling right now, it’s excited and a wee bit terrified in equal measure."
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel