Memorial service to be held for ‘Madame Ecosse’ Winnie Ewing
T
ributes shall be paid to the late SNP politician Winnie Ewing, the celebration’s first feminine parliamentarian, at a memorial service on Saturday.
The 93-year-old former MP, MEP, and MSP, affectionately often known as Madame Ecosse, died final month, surrounded by her household.
Former first minister Alex Salmond and former Scottish Government Cabinet Minister, Alex Neil, will give eulogies on the service at Inverness Cathedral on Saturday, which shall be livestreamed.
First Minister Humza Yousaf, Scottish Parliament Presiding Officer Alison Johnstone and Highland MSP Kate Forbes may even give readings.
The service shall be performed by the Most Reverend Mark Strange, Primus of the Scottish Episcopal Church and Bishop of the Diocese of Moray, Ross & Caithness, and the Very Reverend Sarah Murray, Provost of Inverness Cathedral.
Gaelic songs shall be carried out by Julie Fowlis, accompanied by her husband, Eamon Doorley, and Ciara, considered one of Mrs Ewing’s grand-daughters.
Described as a “beloved icon” of the Scottish independence motion, Mrs Ewing was maybe greatest identified for declaring “Stop the world, Scotland wants to get on” after her shock victory on the Hamilton by-election in 1967.
That victory noticed her turn into Scotland’s first ever feminine parliamentarian.
Following her demise Mr Yousaf paid tribute to the “steadfastly European” former MEP, saying that she had performed a “key role in shaping the perception of Scotland as a true European nation”.
And former first minister Nicola Sturgeon described Mrs Ewing, who was the primary presiding officer of the reconvened Scottish Parliament in 1999, as a “beloved icon”.
She mentioned: “I can’t begin to convey the depth of gratitude I feel for the advice, wisdom, encouragement and inspiration Winnie gave me and so many others over the years.”
Mrs Ewing is survived by her youngsters Fergus, Annabelle and Terry and grandchildren Natasha, Ciara, Jamie, and Sophie.
Her youngsters Fergus and Annabelle are SNP MSPs, with Mr Ewing beforehand describing his mom as “superhuman”.
Mrs Ewing’s household thanked everybody who has despatched messages of condolence, and mentioned all are welcome on the service.
A household spokesman mentioned: “We have heard a myriad of anecdotes of happy experiences of Winnie over her long and successful time as MP, MEP and MSP.
“These have been of great comfort to the family.”
A personal funeral service was held final month.
Mrs Ewing was born in Glasgow in 1929 and gained a legislation diploma from Glasgow University, earlier than being elected to the UK Parliament.
Despite dropping the Hamilton seat on the subsequent election in 1970, she was re-elected to Westminster in 1974 for Moray and Nairn, and retained her seat within the second election in October of the identical yr.
She additionally served within the European Parliament, representing the Highlands and Islands after dropping her Westminster seat in 1979.
She resigned as an MEP in 1999 to face as a candidate for the brand new Scottish Parliament, representing the Highlands and Islands till 2003.
Mrs Ewing was president of the SNP till 2005 when she stood down from elected workplace, nonetheless, she remained an ardent supporter of the independence trigger.