List of first ministers of Scotland facts for kids

• Top left: Donald Dewar was the first ever First Minister of Scotland.
• Top right: Alex Salmond was the first SNP politician to be First Minister.
• Bottom left: Nicola Sturgeon was the first female and longest serving First Minister.
• Bottom right: Humza Yousaf is the current, youngest, and first First Minister from a minority ethnic background.

The First Minister of Scotland is the main leader of the Scottish Government. This government manages many important things for Scotland, like making laws and working with other countries. The First Minister is a Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP). They are chosen by the Scottish Parliament and then officially appointed by the King or Queen.

Currently, Humza Yousaf from the Scottish National Party (SNP) is the First Minister. He became First Minister in March 2023. Before him, Nicola Sturgeon held the role. She was the longest-serving First Minister. Alex Salmond was also a First Minister before Nicola Sturgeon. The very first person to hold this important job was Donald Dewar.

What is the First Minister's Job?

The First Minister is like the head teacher of the Scottish Government. They are in charge of the government's main team, called the Cabinet. Their job includes:

• Making sure the government's plans and ideas are put into action.
• Working with other parts of the United Kingdom.
• Building relationships with countries in Europe and around the world.

The First Minister is always an elected member of the Scottish Parliament. This means they are chosen by the people of Scotland to represent them.

Who Has Been First Minister?

Scotland has had several First Ministers since the Scottish Parliament was created in 1999. Each one has played a key role in leading the country.

Donald Dewar: The First First Minister

Donald Dewar was the very first First Minister of Scotland. He took office in May 1999. He helped set up the new Scottish Parliament. Sadly, he passed away in October 2000 while still in office.

Henry McLeish

After Donald Dewar, Henry McLeish became the First Minister in October 2000. He served for just over a year.

Jack McConnell

Jack McConnell became First Minister in November 2001. He led the Scottish Government for almost six years.

Alex Salmond

Alex Salmond became First Minister in May 2007. He was the first First Minister from the Scottish National Party. He led the government for over seven years.

Nicola Sturgeon: Longest-Serving and First Female

Nicola Sturgeon became First Minister in November 2014. She was the first woman to hold this position. She also became the longest-serving First Minister in Scotland's history. She stepped down in March 2023.

Humza Yousaf: The Current First Minister

Humza Yousaf became the First Minister in March 2023. He is the youngest person to hold the role. He is also the first First Minister from a minority ethnic background.

List of First Ministers of Scotland

This table shows the people who have served as First Minister of Scotland. It includes their name, when they were in office, and their political party.

Political parties

     Scottish Labour Party     Scottish Liberal Democrats     Scottish National Party      Scottish Conservatives

Status

      Background and italics indicates caretaker First Minister

Legend

No.	Portrait	Name (birth–death)	Term of office		Party	Monarch (reign)
			Took office	Left office
1		Donald Dewar (1937–2000)	17 May 1999	11 October 2000†	Labour	Elizabeth II (1952–2022)
(—)		Jim Wallace (born 1954)	11 October 2000	27 October 2000	Liberal Democrat
2		Henry McLeish (born 1948)	27 October 2000	8 November 2001	Labour
(—)		Jim Wallace (born 1954)	8 November 2001	27 November 2001	Liberal Democrat
3		Jack McConnell (born 1960)	27 November 2001	16 May 2007	Labour
4		Alex Salmond (born 1954)	17 May 2007	18 November 2014	SNP
5		Nicola Sturgeon (born 1970)	20 November 2014	28 March 2023	SNP
6		Humza Yousaf (born 1985)	29 March 2023	Incumbent	SNP		Charles III (2022–present)

Timeline of Scottish First Ministers