TRIBUTE

Former SNP leader Gordon Wilson’s “profound contribution” to Scotland has been remembered at a memorial service in Dundee.

Mourners gathered at St Peter’s Free Church to celebrate the life of the leading Nationalist, who died last month at the age of 79 after a short illness.

Mr Wilson was leader of the SNP between 1979 and 1990, during which time he steered the party through turbulent years of division and rebuilt it, laying the foundations for later success.

Delivering the funeral eulogy, Deputy First Minister John Swinney said Mr Wilson would be remembered as a “rebel” with a life-long devotion to the cause of Scottish independence.

Paying tribute to Mr Wilson’s wife, Edith, and daughters Margaret and Katie, Mr Swinney said: “Earlier this year, at an event in Dundee, I had the opportunity to say, in front of Gordon and Edith, the only conclusion that I think it is fair to say: That the existence today of a Scottish Parliament, the existence of an SNP government and the existence of a more self-confident Scotland

“Gordon led the SNP through some really difficult times and laid the foundations for the success we have enjoyed in more recent years”

NICOLA STURGEON