After another tumultuous political year, with a shock General Election and turbulent Brexit process, Scottish politicians are heading off for the festive season. What will they be doing at Christmas, what are their fondest memories and what are they wishing for? The Sunday Herald’s Political Editor Andrew Whitaker finds out.

What we asked the politicians

1 What will you be doing at Christmas?

2 What’s your favourite Christmas memory?

3 What presents do you want for Christmas?

The Herald:

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon

1 I plan to be spending Christmas with close family, as I usually do. It’s the one time of the year when I actually manage to properly switch off, at least for a few days. Unlike the summertime, when a holiday can coincide with ongoing political events – which can mean that you don’t get the chance to properly relax – the festive spell usually sees everyone take time off.

2 Childhood memories are still very vivid. I remember great Christmases opening presents with my wee sister. And also some Christmas Eves when you wondered if some noises in the house meant Santa had arrived!

3 I always appreciate any presents I get – if someone has gone to the trouble of getting you a gift, that is the most important thing. More than anything I’m looking forward to the chance of some rare downtime with family, and losing myself in a good book or two.

The Herald: Scottish Labour's new leader, Richard Leonard Picture: Jane Barlow/PA Wire.

Scottish Labour leader Richard Leonard

1 I will be spending Christmas at home with my family – watching the sun rise and the sun set and thinking of those close to us who we are missing this year.

2 I think we all remember our childhood Christmases the best. For me that meant Christmas dinner with grandparents at their home and Boxing Day with both sets of grandparents at our house. We would go to meet them at the bus station and I can still remember now the feeling of excitement, the smell of coal fires, and the warmth in the dark of late nights.

3 What I would want most is a reawakening of hope in people, the realisation that we make our own history and that we can build a world that works according to the principles of welfare and not warfare.

The Herald:

Scottish Tory leader​ Ruth Davidson

1 Spending it with my partner and her family in Ireland.

2 One Christmas, when I was very little, we got a family dog. She was a rough collie called Blaze. She died just before I went to university so pretty much all my childhood memories from home have her in them. I loved that dog.

3 Some sleep.

The Herald:

Scottish Green co-convener Patrick Harvie

1 Christmas tends to be a pretty quiet day spent at my parents’ house in Dumbarton. If the weather’s tolerable I might cycle out there in the morning, otherwise I’ll take the train on Christmas Eve.

2 As a child the best bit was always waking up to the stocking. Little surprises, all the way down to the tangerine.

3 Some time away from thinking about Brexit and the Budget! I’ll probably spend some time playing computer games, cooking, and getting to grips with the new Philip Pullman novel.

The Herald:

Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Willie Rennie

1 Christmas at the Rennies will be friends, family, running in the Lomonds, wood chopping and sitting in front of the fire with my wife and son.

2 My favourite memory is my three-year-old son Alexander’s first proper Christmas when he discovered his presents with a big smile and wide eyes.

3 My not-so-secret wish for a present is a runner’s huge changing robe. It’s an enormous coat so you can change clothes anywhere, anytime. It’s brilliant but my wife tells me I have too many running things so I suspect I will need to keep on wishing.

The Herald:

Maree Todd

SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands Region and Minister for Childcare and Early Years

1 I’ll be at home in Strathpeffer with my husband John and our three children. My dad will come for a few days and John’s folks will come for dinner. I’m really looking forward to us spending a bit of time together and a chance to do some cooking. We got a dog earlier this year – Cooper – so after many years of trying unsuccessfully to persuade the family out for a walk on Christmas day – we’ll have to do it this year.

2 My first baby was due just before Christmas 1999 and I remember us eagerly anticipating her arrival the whole festive season. She waited until New Year’s day to make an appearance which is quite special – a millennium baby – and we have a very cute photo of her under the tree when we got home from hospital.

3 Working away from home as I do now, the most precious gift for me is having a bit of time off with my friends and family. I’m really looking forward to watching some of the festive TV together and getting out for a few walks. I love getting a stack of books as presents, and chocolate is always welcome too.

The Herald:

South of Scotland Tory MSP Brian Whittle

1 I will be spending Christmas at home with my family (although I won’t be cooking – I wouldn’t subject them to that!) My mum and dad are having the family over.

2 I spend too much time away from my children and grandchildren so I plan to see a lot of them over the festive period. Probably when I walked into the living room on Christmas morning around the age of 13 or 14 and saw my first electric guitar and amp. I have been annoying the neighbours with my renditions of AC/DC ever since.

3 To be honest I haven’t really thought about it. I like the creative way my children think when buying for me – there is always a great deal of humour involved.

The Herald:

Hannah Bardell, SNP MP for Livingston

1 On Christmas Eve we have friends and family over for mince pies and homemade mulled wine and we gather round the piano for some Christmas carols – my mum plays piano and I play the trumpet. On Christmas Day we will be having dinner with my family at my brother’s house and watching my three- year-old niece enjoy every moment of it.

2 My best Christmas memory is also my funniest. My mum has always worked so hard to make Christmas magical and fun for my brother and I and, aged eight, I was so utterly beside myself with excitement I was dragging my brother to bed (he was four) at 8pm saying: “The sooner we get to bed the sooner Santa will be here.” My mother was exhausted as we were up at 4am.

3 A job for my constituent Lola Ilesanmi so she can support her family and not have to worry about money.

Lewis Macdonald, Labour MSP for North East Scotland

1 I’ll be enjoying a family Christmas in and around Aberdeen with my wife and children, brothers and sister, and in-laws, nieces and nephews. Plans are well advanced for Christmas Day in the city and Boxing Day in the country, and a family expedition to Pittodrie for Dons v Hearts on the Saturday between Christmas and New Year. May the best (home) team win!

2 I have lots of great Christmas memories, mostly around family, like nocturnal expeditions with my sister to try to find Santa’s storeroom, back in the sixties, or my mum getting out of hospital for a day to spend her last Christmas with us all, a few short years ago. Best of all is just the gathering, year on year, with the cast changing over time, but passing the warmth and conviviality on from generation to generation.

3 While of course I’d like a short break from elections over Christmas, I’d really love a brand new Labour Government in the New Year!

The Herald:

Annie Wells, conservative MSP for Glasgow

1 This year will start like most, with a trip to my dad’s grave in Bishopbriggs and Christmas dinner with family in my house. Having worked at Marks & Spencer for 13-plus years, I’ve stayed true to my roots and will be providing quality “homemade” dishes to pull off as my own.

We’ll most likely end the day making cocktails and singing along to Christmas songs, including the old family favourite, Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.

2 Seeing my son Scott’s face light up on Christmas Day the year he really begun to understand what Christmas was about. Causing mischief with my brother also stands out.

I remember one year packing a delicate little watch he was desperate for in a cardboard box the size of his body, which was filled with bricks and newspaper.

3 This year, I’d like to upgrade my Haribo engagement ring to a real one (hint hint), recreate an authentic Nigella Lawson-style Christmas and most importantly, for everyone across Scotland to have a great Christmas.

The Herald:

Alison Thewliss, SNP MP for Glasgow Central

1 Spending some much-needed time with my family and tucking into my mum’s amazing turkey and sausage meat stuffing.

2 I got to reveal to my whole family that I was pregnant with my son on Christmas Day – that was a very special moment, funny too because we couldn’t get everyone in the same room at the same time to make the announcement.

3 If I don’t get the world peace I always hope for, I would like everyone to be able to enjoy a warm cooked meal in good company. There are lots of projects to make that happen, including the Christmas dinner being run by Glasgow City Mission.

The Herald:

Alyn Smith, SNP MEP for Scotland

1 My boyfriend and I and my folks will be spending the day at my sister’s place, so I’ll probably spend most of it with my nieces and their science sets or Lego (which I still view as MY Lego even if I gave them it a couple years ago.)

2 I grew up in Saudi Arabia so Christmas was a bit unconventional. We would go out into the desert for a non-denominational turkey barbecue with unleavened Arab bread. Can’t beat it.

3 An extra six hours in every day would be grand. I suspect in 2018 we’ll need them.

The Herald:

Neil Findlay, Labour MSP for Lothian

1 I will go to midnight mass, then in the morning I cook breakfast for my mum, brother, his wife and daughter (my wife Fiona is on nightshift at St John’s hospital so will be in bed). When she gets up she will help me to cook Christmas dinner for 10 and we will all enjoy a few festive “refreshments” in front of some trash TV.

2 My most memorable childhood one was when my sister got us up all excitedly to go down for our presents only for there to be none. In her enthusiasm she had got us up a day early (and she’s supposed to be the clever one of the family.)

3 A General Election

The Herald:

Elaine Smith, Labour MSP for Central Scotland

1 I will be going to church and making dinner for my extended family which is lovely as we all have busy lives and don’t see enough of each other.

2 My son playing one of the kings in nativity at primary school and the first Christmas when he realised Santa had come.

3 A change of government.

The Herald:

Alex Neil, SNP MSP for Airdrie and Shotts

1 I will be spending Christmas with my family including my two granddaughters at home in Ayr.

2 It was when my son was born on December 1, 1979 and my eldest granddaughter on Christmas Eve 2009.

3 I would like to win the Euro lottery jackpot for Christmas and use some of the money to fund research into killer diseases like MND and childhood cancers.

The Herald:

Monica Lennon, Labour MSP for Central Scotland and inequalities spokesperson for Scottish Labour

1 My daughter Isabella is 11 and she loves everything about Christmas, so I’ll be enjoying every moment with her. I’m looking forward to spending time with family and friends after a busy year. And if I’m lucky, time on my own, to read and relax.

2 I like tradition at Christmas and we used to live in an old cottage with a wood-burning stove. I liked Christmas around the fire. A few years back we spent Christmas with my in-laws in Australia. Christmas Day on the beach was definitely a memorable one.

3 I like surprises. And Jo Malone candles, not that I’d ever drop hints.

The Herald:

Pauline McNeill, Labour MSP for Glasgow

1 I will be at home with my husband, stepson, brother, sister, three nieces and a refugee family from Syria. Thirteen of us. We are having halal turkey but all the usual trimmings. There will be singing afterwards.

2 The best Christmas memories are always when you are a kid – but definitely my first Christmas with my husband as it was lovely being together but he went slightly mad with presents. He kept back a surprise of a huge keyboard I had wanted. I almost cried.

3 The most importantly thing to me is that my family are altogether even if it’s just Skype for those abroad. I’m hoping for a gadget for my guitar so I can play it wirelessly.

Joanna Cherry QC, SNP MP for Edinburgh South West

1 Over Christmas my extended family go to my sister and her husband in Fife for a series of roast dinners with all the trimmings. I am normally rousted out of my bed at an ungodly hour on Christmas Day by my two nephews to open presents. If I get the chance I will commandeer the DVD player for a showing of Doctor Zhivago – one of my favourite films – while indulging in my Christmas vice of sweet sherry.

2 Christmas in Australia during a gap year for my fortieth birthday – unforgettable with morning swims and prawns and wonderful Ozzie  wines in the sun.

3 Nothing beats a great biography. I have just finished reading Lindie Naughton’s biography of Countess Markievicz, the famous Irish nationalist, suffragette and rebel, and the first woman to be elected to the British Parliament in 1918. She did not take her seat at Westminster but went on to be the first woman to hold Cabinet office in Western Europe.

Ruth Maguire, SNP MSP for Cunninghame South

Relaxing at home with the family in Irvine.

I’m very lucky to have lots of good memories of Christmas over the years. In December 1996, my eldest daughter Aimee was born. That Christmas day there wasn’t much by the way of Christmas presents, or a big dinner, but I was over the moon to have such a precious wee soul with me at home and was just about bursting with love and pride for her, thinking about that time a lot as she turns 21 this year.

All I want for Christmas is a few lie ins, plenty fresh air, some walks on the beach, just some proper down time with my family and friends really.…..although if folk are desperate for gift ideas, books, you never can have too many books!

The Herald:

Catherine Stihler, Labour MEP for Scotland

This year we are spending it with my in-laws in America. We will be splitting the day itself having an early Christmas lunch with one and taking the leftovers to the other in the afternoon.

Think it must be seeing the faces of my children, Alex and Andrew, last year getting a surprise present. Their sheer joy and delight was a sight to behold. However my sister and I getting a Cindy Doll when we were wee with a decorated shoe box designed by my mum has to be up there.

For Brexit not to happen and for people not to be lonely. There is nothing I personally need – only to have time with my family as we celebrate the nativity and to wish everyone a happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.

Tom Arthur, SNP MSP for Renfrewshire South

Eating, reading, spending time with family and have long overdue catch-ups with friends!

Too many – but one from about 20 years ago is getting a drum kit. (This could also be an answer to my parents’ biggest Christmas regret! The neighbours would agree.)

Quality time with my wife, pug, family and friends.

Margaret Mitchell Tory MSP for Central Scotland

I am looking forward to spending it with my husband and my two Westies, Jack and Jamie, who will have terrific fun ripping open their squeaky toy Christmas presents. On Christmas Day I am cooking Christmas dinner for my extended family.

I remember, as a child, getting a colourful decorated cardboard ‘sweet shop’ with shelves with lots of miniature glass display bottles that were filled with all kinds of different sweeties. So whilst my mother was slaving away cooking Christmas dinner, with lovely aromas coming from the kitchen and carols playing in the background, I was busy stuffing my face with the sweeties from the sweet shop. I still managed to eat my full Christmas dinner!

To have the Christmas Fairy to grant me three wishes – then I might slip in world peace as one of them – but then again it might be a close call between that and stopping the Westies having a sumo wrestling match every time I take a phone call

Mairi Gougeon SNP MSP for Angus North and Mearns

This Christmas I’ll be at home in Brechin with my husband and will be having all the family at mine. It’ll be mad, I can’t wait!

That would be Christmas 10 years ago when a few of us went for a walk on a snowy Christmas night, bumping into a family who were tubing down a snowy/icy hill then everyone joining in.

Time with my family! I actually can’t remember the last time I spent a full day with my family, in this job those opportunities are rare so that’s what I want the most. Though saying that my running shoes are full of holes and giving me blisters so I could maybe do with a new pair of those if my husband’s reading.