Nicola Sturgeon has paid tribute to Andrew Welsh, the former SNP MP and MSP, who has been hailed as a “pioneer of independence” after his death.
Mr Welsh represented Angus at both Holyrood and Westminster, has died at the age of 77.
Glasgow-born Welsh worked as a teacher before becoming involved in politics, and was elected to the South Angus constituency in 1974.
Welsh left office in 1979 before returning to the Commons to represent East Angus from 1987 to 1997, and Angus from 1997 to 2001.
In 1999 he became an MSP for the new Scottish Parliament, representing Angus until 2011 when he retired.
Welsh, former provost of Angus, was given the honour of Freeman of Angus in 2013 due to his long years of public service for the area.
The First Minister tweeted: “Very sad to hear of the passing of dear friend and colleague, Andrew Welsh, former @theSNP MP & MSP for Angus.
“Andrew was a campaigner for independence long before it had the levels of support enjoyed today. He will be hugely missed.”
Deputy First Minister John Swinney also paid tribute on Twitter, saying: “So very sorry to hear of the death of my dear friend and colleague, Andrew Welsh, former Provost, MP and MSP.”
He said Mr Welsh had had a “life devoted to serving Angus and Scotland”, describing him as a “pioneer of independence and a loyal, true friend and ally”.
Former first minister Alex Salmond, who was an SNP MP at the same time as Mr Welsh, said he will be “greatly missed”.
Graeme Dey, now the MSP for Angus South, wrote that he was “deeply saddened” to learn of Welsh’s passing.
“Andrew was a giant of the SNP and the independence cause. Where he led here in Angus the party was to follow across Scotland,” he wrote.
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