Nicola Sturgeon is met with a huge crowd as she arrives in the Highland capital. Pictured is Inverness candidate, Drew Hendry...Picture: Paul Campbell .Tel: 07790 299920.
Nicola Sturgeon was no stranger to the Highlands while First Minister – visiting the region on multiple occasions during her eight years as leader of the SNP.
From trips to Raigmore Hospital in Inverness to see the work of the children's unit, to stops at primary schools for interviews with the pupils, to speeches at the likes of the STUC trade union conference in Aviemore, she visited the region numerous times.
Nicola Sturgeon at Merkinch with Drew Hendry..Pictures: John Baikie 037660.
Her trips also tied into the region's growing importance within the energy and renewables sector – including an official trip to Nigg in 2016 to view the first turbine destined for the Pentland Firth's Maygen scheme, and a journey to Inverness just last month where she met Prime Minister Rishi Sunak as the UK and Scottish Governments announced that the Cromarty Firth's freeport bid had been successful.
Other business sectors were also visited by the First Minister during her tenure, with her stopping off in Dalcross in 2018 to open the £95 million expansion of the then Norbord factory; and also addressing the National Economic Forum during a past trip to the Kingsmills Hotel.
Past visits also included the naming ceremony for a new Caledonian Sleeper train in 2015, and popular walkabouts in Inverness High Street while on the electoral campaign trail with local MP Drew Hendry.
Nicola Sturgeon was presented with a souvenir model of the train she unveiled...Picture: Gair Fraser . Image No..Nicola Sturgeon at Foodbank at Merkinch.Volunteers Marilyn MacIver, Anne Sutherland, and Lorna Dempster (foodbank coordinator) and Drew Hendry MP..Pictures: John Baikie 037660.Nicola Sturgeon at the National Economic Forum, Kingsmills Hotel with Mark Gregory and Paul Wheelhouse..Pictures: John Baikie 037652.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon opens Expansion at Norbord...Picture: Gary Anthony. Image No.040882.STUC 2018 Congress - Aviemore..NFirst Minister Nicola Sturgeon on visit to Inverness.Selfies on the High Street.Picture: Gary Anthony. Image No.033268.NFirst Minister Nicola Sturgeon on visit to Inverness.Gets a Nessie gift from staff at The Works shop.Picture: Gary Anthony. Image No.033268.First Minister Nicola Sturgeon opens Expansion at Norbord...Picture: Gary Anthony. Image No.040882.12/01/2023. Inverness, United Kingdom. The Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon in Inverness, Scotland. Picture by Simon Walker / No 10 Downing StreetNicola Sturgeon and Drew Hendry with local activists..Pictures: John Baikie 037660.Nicola Sturgeon at Foodbank at Merkinch with Lorna Dempster..Pictures: John Baikie 037660.Nicola Sturgeon at Foodbank at Merkinch.Volunteers Marilyn MacIver, Anne Sutherland, and Lorna Dempster (foodbank coordinator) and Drew Hendry MP..Pictures: John Baikie 037660.NFirst Minister Nicola Sturgeon on visit to Inverness..Picture: Gary Anthony. Image No.033268.
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