Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon issued a statement after Alex Salmond dramatically fell on his sword.
It read: "Alex Salmond's achievements as SNP leader and Scotland's First Minister are second to none.
He led the SNP into government and has given our country a renewed self confidence. Through policies such as the council tax freeze, free prescriptions and the scrapping of tuition fees, he has made a real difference for hundreds of thousands of Scots.
"And yesterday he inspired 1.6 million of our fellow citizens to vote Yes to independence.
"The personal debt of gratitude I owe Alex is immeasurable. He has been my friend, mentor and colleague for more than 20 years. Quite simply, I would not have been able to do what I have in politics without his constant advice, guidance and support through all these years.
"Alex's announcement today inevitably raises the question of whether I will be a candidate to succeed him as SNP leader. I can think of no greater privilege than to seek to lead the Party I joined when I was just 16.
"However, that decision is not for today. My priority this weekend, after a long and hard campaign, is to get some rest and spend time with my family.
"I also want the focus over the next few days to be on the outstanding record and achievements of the finest First Minister Scotland has had."
Born in Ayrshire in 1970, Sturgeon joined the SNP aged 16 and was the first of her family to attend university.
After studying law at the University of Glasgow and working as a solicitor at the Drumchapel Law Centre, she stood for election in 1992 as the SNP candidate for Shettleston. She was the youngest parliamentary candidate despite losing the seat.
Sturgeon stood for the 1999 and 2003 elections to the Scottish Parliament but failed to win the constituency. However, in both elections, she was placed first in the regional list for the Glasgow region and was thus elected as an SNP additional member. She was elected to the SNP's national executive, and was appointed the party's spokeswoman for health, education and later for justice.
In 2004 Sturgeon was elected as Depute Leader to Salmond's First Minister.
Sturgeon's mother serves as an SNP councillor for North Ayrshire and her grandfather was an SNP member in the 1960s.
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