In Pictures: Nicola Sturgeon from party youth activist to Scottish leader

The longest serving – and first female – first minister rose to power unopposed after the ill-fated independence referendum in 2014.

Nicola Sturgeon is standing down as First Minister and SNP leader after joining the Scottish National Party at the age of 16.

In a shock announcement on Wednesday, the 52-year-old said she believes the “time is now” to stand aside.

In 1999, Ms Sturgeon was SNP vice convenor. Seen here with party colleagues, from left, deputy convenor John Swinney, party leader Alex Salmond and chief executive Mike Russell after the Scottish parliamentary elections of 1999 (PA) — In 1999, Ms Sturgeon was SNP vice-convener during the Holyrood elections. She stood for the Glasgow Govan seat and lost, but joined the Scottish Parliament under the party list. Seen here with party colleagues, from left, deputy convenor John Swinney, party leader Alex Salmond and chief executive Mike Russell after the Scottish parliamentary elections of 1999 (Ben Curtis/PA)

The longest serving – and first female – first minister rose to power unopposed after the ill-fated independence referendum in 2014, taking over from Alex Salmond, the mentor with whom she would come into conflict in the years to come over the handling of sexual harassment allegations made against him.

Then-first minister Alex Salmond and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon walk past a sign showing the date for the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 (PA) — Then-first minister Alex Salmond and Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon walk past a sign showing the date for the Scottish independence referendum in 2014 (David Cheskin/PA)

Last year the UK’s Supreme Court ruled that the Scottish Government does not have the power to hold another independence referendum, as Westminster blocks the move.

With Scottish actor Alan Cumming outside the Yes Kelvin campaign hub in Glasgow ahead of the Scottish independence referendum vote (PA) — With Scottish actor Alan Cumming outside the Yes Kelvin campaign hub in Glasgow ahead of the Scottish independence referendum vote (Danny Lawson/PA)

Ms Sturgeon’s stint as First Minister spanned the entire period of the UK’s exit from the European Union, including the 2016 referendum, the negotiations in 2017-19, the departure on January 31 2020 and the transition period until the end of 2020.

General Election 2019 — Ms Sturgeon was a firm supporter of Remain in the Brexit vote (Andrew Milligan/PA)

During her time in office, the UK has seen five different prime ministers, all of them Conservative: David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Rishi Sunak.

Leaves 10 Downing Street in London today with her Brexit minister Michael Russell after a meeting with Theresa May in 2016 (PA) — Leaving 10 Downing Street in London with her Brexit minister Michael Russell after a meeting with Theresa May in 2016 (Stefan Rousseau/PA)

The First Minister was also a key figure following the death of the Queen in Scotland in 2022, with many of the initial ceremonies held in Edinburgh.

Meeting the King and Queen Consort as they arrive at Edinburgh Airport after travelling from London, ahead of joining the procession of the Queen's coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles’ Cathedral (PA) — Meeting the King and Queen Consort as they arrive at Edinburgh Airport after travelling from London, ahead of joining the procession of the Queen’s coffin from the Palace of Holyroodhouse to St Giles’ Cathedral (Robert Perry/PA)

The coronavirus pandemic saw Ms Sturgeon lead daily briefings to update the Scottish population on restrictions and death figures.

With Scottish chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood at a pandemic news conference in March 2020 (PA) — With Scottish chief medical officer Dr Catherine Calderwood at a pandemic news conference in March 2020 (Jeff J Mitchell/PA)

Meeting nine-month-old Amelia Mackinnon and other families during a visit at Govan Help in Glasgow in 2022 ( — Wearing a tartan mask to play with nine-month-old Amelia Mackinnon during a visit at Govan Help in Glasgow in 2022 (Peter Summers/PA)