First Minister

Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon will be appearing at a special festive Edinburgh’s Christmas In Conversation event, In The Company of Books, on 15 December at The Assembly Rooms on the Mound where they will be joined by Alan Cumming and bestselling author Paula Hawkins to discuss all things books.

Interview: Nicola Sturgeon and Val McDermid on bonding over books

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon and First Minister John Swinney

Respect Nicola Sturgeon's privacy, says John Swinney

MSP salaries are to increase by 3.2 per cent.

MSP salaries are set to increase again - this is by how much

Battery Revolution

Powering the Future: Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners Drive the UK's Battery R...

Nicola Sturgeon and Peter Murrell

Nicola Sturgeon announces split from husband Peter Murrell

John Swinney, seen on a visit to St John's Hospital in Livingston. (Picture: Jane Barlow/pool)

John Swinney spent the night in A&E in Scotland - this is what he saw

Donald Trump at his Aberdeenshire golf resort in 2016

First Minister says he will use Trump's Scottish links in tariff talks

Moira and Alex Salmond in 2015

Moira Salmond hits out at 'those determined to damage' reputation

Stuart Hogg

John Swinney backs calls to revoke rugby star Stuart Hogg's MBE

First Minister John Swinney (left) has apologised for the case involving a retired policeman called Robert from Lanarkshire (pictured right), who had to 'lie on the floor in excruciating pain for five-and-a-half hours'

Swinney apologises to former policeman left to lie on floor in A&E

First Minister John Swinney (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Swinney wants Northern Ireland-style trigger for independence poll

Ash Regan MSP.

Exclusive Ash Regan confirms bid to succeed Alex Salmond as Alba leader

John Swinney (left) has spoken about meeting Donald Trump

John Swinney: I will not refuse a meeting with Donald Trump

The SNP operates as a minority government so John Swinney needs the support of MSPs from another political party to get his spending plans through Holyrood (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images)

Readers' Letters: It's rich for Swinney to accuse others of 'playing politics'

First Minister John Swinney

Swinney warns of medicine rationing if Scottish Budget voted down

First Minister John Swinney and Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes outside Bute House with the Scottish cabinet.

Have Swinney and Forbes reset the relationship with business?

John Swinney, pictured getting a Covid jag in 2021, says Scots can be confident in NHS (Picture: Andrew Milligan / POOL / AFP)

Readers' Letters: How can we believe Swinney's assurances on Scottish NHS?

Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar promised a new direction for Scotland

Scottish leaders' New Year messages and their promises for 2025

Pupils sitting an exam. Image: John Devlin

'Very worrying' research finds just 40% of S4 pupils pass maths

First Minister John Swinney has delivered his Christmas message. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

John Swinney's Christmas message - and his Government's No.1 priority

Neil Gray

John Swinney cracks down on ministerial car use after Neil Gray row

Former first minister Humza Yousaf

Humza Yousaf to stand down as an MSP at the 2026 election

Hampden Park

Old Firm football violence 'utterly unacceptable' says John Swinney

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon leaves the UK Covid-19 Inquiry hearing, after giving evidence, at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre

Sturgeon knows 'nothing more' on police probe 18 months after arrest

First Minister and SNP leader John Swinney and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage

SNP will focus on solutions to combat Reform, First Minister says

SNP Westminster leader Stephen Flynn won’t decide on whether to run for Holyrood until next year

Stephen Flynn gives update on Holyrood election decision

Why there is good reason for politicians to get involved in people’s sex lives Euan McColm

A homeless man begs for small change on the streets. Photo: Getty Images

Swinney urged to step in amid unlawful homelessness response row

First Minister John Swinney

Swinney to give 'serious consideration' to new strangulation offence

Donald Trump (Picture: Allison Robbert/pool)

Swinney warned over 'Trumpification' after 'friendly chats' with Trump

First Minister John Swinney at Bute House in Edinburgh. Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire

John Swinney issues 'albatross' ultimatum to Labour over Scottish Budget

Scottish independence supporters on the march. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yes vote for Scottish independence hits 4-year high in new poll

First Minister John Swinney looks on as Finance Secretary Shona Robison presents the government's Budget. Picture: Jeff J Mitchell/Getty Images

The key battlegrounds for Scottish Budget negotiations

SNP have craftily thrown Anas Sarwar a hand grenade with Scottish Budget Euan McColm

Val McDermid and Nicola Sturgeon will be joined by Alan Cumming and Paula Wilkins at In the Company of Books in Edinburgh on 15 December.

Exclusive Nicola Sturgeon opens up on her memoir: 'I'm not out to settle scores'

Exclusive 'I sincerely hope so': Swinney's Budget message to arts industry

First Minister John Swinney and Finance Secretary Shona Robison.

SNP to prioritise the NHS in the Scottish budget, says John Swinney

Constitution, External Affairs and Culture Secretary Angus Robertson

Angus Robertson to lead SNP 2026 Holyrood election campaign

The Proclaimers were supporters of Alex Salmond's Alba party.

Proclaimers to perform independence anthem at Alex Salmond memorial

First Minister John Swinney makes his speech at the Royal Society of Edinburgh. Picture: PA

Swinney warns of 'disruption' if opposition vote down Scottish Budget

The Grangemouth oil refinery is to close with the loss of hundreds of jobs as the UK Government strives to achieve its net-zero goals (Picture: Jane Barlow)

Swinney 'actively pursuing option' to keep Grangemouth refinery open

Donald Trump has been elected as the 47th President of the US.

Swinney blasted over congratulations for 'misogynist' Donald Trump

SNP First Minister John Swinney (Picture: Andrew Milligan)

John Swinney to snub COP29 climate summit in Baku

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon's memoirs are due to be published in August next year

Publication date revealed for ex-first minister Nicola Sturgeon's book

Are enough of Scotland's young people able to access free university places, asks reader (Picture: Adobe)

Readers' Letters: 'Free education' comes at a large cost to the nation

Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon

Nicola Sturgeon parody used in Netflix series with indyref2 plot point

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar

Support for Labour in Scotland plummets after budget statement

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Scotland has failed to meet its latest target for reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, the latest official figures show. Picture: John Giles/PA Wire

Fail: Scotland misses climate target

Pro-independence protesters with Scottish Saltire flags (top) march for Scottish independence. Picture: Andy Buchanan/AFP via Getty Images

Yousaf: Growing popular support for Yes the only way to Scottish independence

Nadine Dorries. Picture: Dan Kitwood/Getty Images

SNP MP cleared of bullying Nadine Dorries