THE events held marking the 20th Anniversary of the opening of the Scottish Parliament were particularly special for Cowdenbeath MSP Annabelle Ewing.

Ms Ewing said: “That was a lovely day, marking twenty years since the first opening of the Scottish Parliament.

"That historic day marked the culmination of generations of campaigning by many people and the event was particularly momentous for my family with my mother – as the oldest MSP – given the honour of chairing proceedings prior to the election of the first Presiding Officer.

“I don’t mind admitting that I still get goosebumps when I hear that famous clip of mum declaring that the Scottish Parliament ‘adjourned on the 25th day of March in the year 1707, is hereby reconvened’.

“It has been an honour and a delight to follow in her footsteps, firstly as a Member of Parliament in the House of Commons and, now, for the last eight years, as a Member of the Scottish Parliament.

“It was a day for looking back with pleasure and some pride over twenty years that have brought great changes to the way in which Scotland is governed, but it was also a time to look forward and consider the ways in which we can build on what has been achieved and make lives better for people in communities across our country".

The MSP added: “Each MSP was able to invite one guest and I was really pleased to be accompanied by somebody who is doing just that.

"Irene Donaldson, who is based at BRAG, the Benarty Regeneration Action Group, has done so much to secure the jobs of former Remploy workers and bring other newer members into the team at Re-Employ following the closure of the Remploy factory.”