TRIBUTES have been paid to former SNP MP Iain MacCormick who has died aged 74.

Mr MacCormick was elected to the House of Commons in the first General Election of 1974, representing the Argyll constituency until 1979. He died on Friday, the day after voting in the independence referendum.

Education Secretary Michael Russell said: "It is a measure of his passion for change and his extraordinary, determined character that despite being ill and in hospital until the end of last week, he insisted on going in person to vote Yes in the referendum on Thursday.

"I spoke on a Yes platform in Oban with him earlier this year and he remained a fine orator whose keen mind got to the very heart of any issue. Iain was a remarkable man, part of a vastly influential Scottish political family which helped to build our modern nation."

He added: "The Parliamentary success of Iain and his colleagues in the two elections of 1974 - returning first seven and then 11 MPs - by its pressure at home and at Westminster secured the first devolution referendum in 1979 and ultimately led to the establishment of a Scottish Parliament in 1999."

Mr Russell, the SNP MSP for Argyll and Bute, said Mr MacCormick's death had shocked and saddened the whole constituency. He added: "He and Riona spent much time in France but their home was in Oban and Iain was always well thought of by many people he had helped when an MP.

"His former pupils at Oban High were also warm about his teaching and his personality."