Nicola Sturgeon bid a heartfelt farewell to Holyrood on Wednesday, departing the chamber after FMQs for the last time after 27 years of service.
The former First Minister is among 42 MSPs to be standing down ahead of May's election, including 25 in her own party.
Photos snapped after the debate show Ms Sturgeon, first elected to the parliament in 1999, hugging current FM John Swinney and fellow class of '99 retiree Christine Grahame.
John Swinney and Nicola Sturgeon embrace. (Image: Jane Barlow)
In Ms Sturgeon's final speech last week, the longtime politico admitted that while the “time is right to move on”, leaving parliament after almost three decades was a “wrench”.
"I have been here for 27 years – that is almost exactly half my life," Ms Sturgeon, 55, said.
“So, even though the time is right to move on, I won’t pretend that leaving isn’t a wrench, it is.”
Ms Sturgeon was flanked by other SNP retirees, including Humza Yousaf. (Image: Jane Barlow)
The SNP's Christine Graeme, 81, was pictured next to Ms Sturgeon.
The Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale MSP was also elected to Holyrood in 1999.
Ms Graeme has spoken about the importance of cross-party relationships.
"In the chamber you play the ball, not the man," she recently told the BBC. "That's always my motto. Go for the argument. Don't go for anyone else. Outside the chamber, we're people."
First Minister John Swinney with fellow SNP MSPs after the last First Minister's Questions. (Image: Jane Barlow)
Ms Sturgeon offered similar sentiments in her “parting thoughts” to MSPs.
She said that politicians should “make friends in other parties”, adding that “opponents need not be enemies”.
She remarked: “No matter the depths of your loyalty to your own political tribe, don’t forget to think for yourself.”
Three FMs re-unite for one of the final times. (Image: Jane Barlow)
Just five MSPs who were among the first to enter the Scottish Parliament after 292 year are contesting May's election.
Mr Swinney is standing again, as is Labour deputy Jackie Baillie, Fergus Ewing, Pauline McNeill, and Kenny Gibson.
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon photographs photographers as she arrives for the last First Minister's Questions of the current parliamentary session at the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood, Edinburgh. Picture date: Wednesday March 25, 2026. PA (Image: Jane Barlow/PA Wire)
In addition to Ms Graeme and Ms Sturgeon; Shona Robison, Fiona Hyslop, and Richard Lochhead are among the original intake not to return for a seventh term.
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