That concludes First Minister's questions.

The next item of business is a personal statement by the First Minister.

And today marks the final contribution in this Chamber of Nicholas Sturgeon, MSP as

First Minister, our longest serving First Minister and the first woman to hold the post.

On behalf of the Parliament, I thank the First Minister for her service.

I thank John Swinney, MSP, the Deputy, First Minister for his service too.

They have both been in government since 2007, and I wish them well for the future.

I now call on Nicholas Sturgeon. First Minister.

Thank you, Mr. Officer. I am sure I speak on behalf of the Deputy, First Minister, in expressing that gratitude.

I have indeed just concluded my 286 and final session of

First Minister's questions. This is the final statement I will make in this Chamber as

First Minister. No matter what I do in future, nothing, absolutely nothing will come close to the experience of the

past 3,046 days. Being First Minister of the country I love has been a profound honour. I have

led Scotland through good times, but also through the toughest period of our recent history. Exactly three

years ago today I stood at a podium in St Andrew's house and I asked the country to stay

at home. My thoughts today and always are with those who lost loved ones to COVID, with

those who live still with long COVID, with our young people who lost out on so many of the normal experiences of growing up, and with everyone who endured the trauma of separation and loneliness.

COVID shaped all of us. I know that it changed me and in many ways it defined my time as

First Minister. Above all, it reinforced in me an abiding admiration for the people of this

wonderful country who made such painful sacrifices to keep each other safe. In the toughest

of times, our country showed

the best of itself, with love, care and solidarity. And that will live with me forever.

...