View source for First Minister of Scotland

{{Short description|Head of government of Scotland}}
{{about|the office|a list of Scottish first ministers|List of first ministers of Scotland}}
{{Use British English|date=June 2022}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2022}}
{{Infobox official post
| post = First Minister
| body = Scotland
| image = John Swinney - First Minister (53720492021) (cropped).jpg
| incumbent = [[John Swinney]]
| incumbentsince = 8 May 2024
| status = [[Head of government]]
| style = [[First Minister]]<br />(informal)<br />[[Right Honourable|The Right Honourable]]<br />(UK and Commonwealth) <br />[[Excellency|His Excellency]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/uk/nicola-sturgeon-named-as-global-advocate-for-un-gender-equality-campaign-37790006.html|title=Nicola Sturgeon named as global advocate for UN gender equality campaign|publisher=BelfastTelegraph|quote=UN under-secretary-general Ms Mlambo-Ngcuka said: "It is my honour to announce today her excellency Ms Nicola Sturgeon, First Minister of Scotland, as an inaugural HeForShe global advocate for gender equality."|date=6 February 2019|access-date=9 January 2020}}</ref><br />(international)
| member_of = {{ubl|[[Scottish Parliament]]|[[Scottish Cabinet]]|[[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]]|[[British-Irish Council]]|[[Prime Minister and Heads of Devolved Governments Council|PM and Heads of Devolved Governments Council]]|[[Council of the Nations and Regions]]}}
| department = Office of the First Minister<br/>[[Scottish Government]]<br />[[Scottish Cabinet]]<br />[[Scottish Parliament]]
| reports_to = [[Scottish Parliament]]
| residence = [[Bute House]]
| seat = [[St Andrew's House]]
| nominator = [[Scottish Parliament]]
| appointer = [[Monarchy_of_the_United_Kingdom|The monarch]]
| termlength = [[At His Majesty's pleasure]]
| termlength_qualified = (following nomination by the [[Scottish Parliament]])
| formation = {{start date and age|1999|5|17|df=y|p=1|br=1}}
| succession = 
| salary = £165,678 per annum {{small|(2023)}}{{efn|The previous First Minister, [[Nicola Sturgeon]], froze her salary at £140,496 (2008–09 levels) when she took office and donated the additional pay back to the Scottish government.<ref>{{cite news |title=Five things about Scottish politicians' tax returns |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-64537218 |work=[[BBC News Online]] |date=7 February 2023}}</ref>}}<ref>{{cite web |title=MSP salaries |url=https://www.parliament.scot/msps/msp-salaries |website=parliament.scot |date=5 April 2023 |publisher=[[The Scottish Parliament]]}}</ref><br />(including £67,662 [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|MSP]] salary)
| inaugural = [[Donald Dewar]]
| website = {{Official URL}}
| deputy = [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland]]
| native_name = {{langx|gd|Prìomh Mhinistear na h-Alba}}
| flag = Flag of Scotland.svg
| flagborder = 
| flagcaption = [[Flag of Scotland]]
| insignia = First Minister of Scotland logo (2).png
| insigniasize = 250px
| insigniacaption = Logo of the Office of the First Minister 
}}
{{PoliticsScotland}}   
                                   
The '''first minister of Scotland''' ({{langx|gd|Prìomh Mhinistear na h-Alba}}) is the [[head of government]] of [[Scotland]] and the [[Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland|keeper]] of the [[Great Seal of Scotland]], one of the [[Great Officers of State (United Kingdom)#Scotland|great officers of state]] in Scotland. The first minister leads the [[Scottish Government]], the [[Executive (government)|executive branch]] of the devolved government.

The first minister chairs the [[Scottish Cabinet]] and is primarily responsible for the formulation, development, and presentation of the Scottish Government's policies. Additional functions of the first minister include promoting and representing Scotland in an official capacity, at home and abroad, as part of the Scottish Government's approach to [[International relations of Scotland|international relations]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/first-minister/ |title=About the Scottish Government > Who runs government > First Minister |publisher=Scottish Government |access-date=9 January 2019}}</ref> The first minister is nominated by the [[Scottish Parliament]] by [[Member of the Scottish Parliament|members of the Scottish Parliament]] (MSPs), and is formally appointed by the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|monarch]]. 

Members of the Scottish Cabinet and junior ministers of the Scottish Government are appointed by the first minister. The first minister is directly accountable to the Scottish Parliament for their actions and the actions of the wider government and cabinet. Additionally, the first minister is responsible for appointing the country's [[Law officers of the Crown|law officers]] – the [[Lord Advocate]] and [[Solicitor General for Scotland]], as well as nominating and appointing the [[Lord President of the Court of Session]], the [[Lord Justice Clerk]] and [[Senator of the College of Justice|Senator's of the College of Justice]], judges who sit within the [[Supreme Courts of Scotland]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Scotland Act 1998 |url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1998/46/notes/division/3/48/15 |website=legislation.gov.uk |access-date=20 January 2025}}</ref> 

The first minister is supported by their [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|deputy first minister]], as well as [[Cabinet Secretary|cabinet secretaries]], junior ministers, [[Directorates of the Scottish Government|government directorates]] and civil servants. The first minister is advised on matters by their [[Chief of Staff to the First Minister|chief of staff]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Government structure |url=https://www.gov.scot/about/how-government-is-run/ |website=www.gov.scot |access-date=20 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Who runs government |url=https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/ |website=www.gov.scot |access-date=20 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref> The office is currently held by [[John Swinney]], the MSP for [[Perthshire North (Scottish Parliament constituency)|Perthshire North]] and the leader of the [[Scottish National Party]] (SNP). Swinney was elected first minister by the Scottish Parliament on 7 May 2024, and was sworn in the following day at the [[Court of Session]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.stv.tv/scotland/john-swinney-to-be-sworn-in-as-scotlands-first-minister?utm_source=app|publisher=STV News|date=8 May 2024|title=John Swinney officially sworn in as Scotland's seventh First Minister}}</ref>

== History ==
Following the [[1997 Scottish devolution referendum|referendum in 1997]], in which the Scottish electorate gave their consent, the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Executive (later the Scottish Government) were established by the [[Parliament of the United Kingdom]] and the [[Labour Party (UK)|Labour]] [[First Blair ministry|government]] of the [[Prime Minister of the United Kingdom|prime minister]], [[Tony Blair]].

Under the [[Acts of Union 1707]], the former [[Parliament of Scotland]] merged with the English parliament, forming the [[Parliament of Great Britain]]. The re-establishment of a dedicated [[legislature]] and [[Executive (government)|executive]] for Scotland was known as [[devolution]] and initiated a measure of [[home rule]] (self-governance) in its domestic affairs, such as [[NHS Scotland|health]], [[Education in Scotland|education]] and [[Law in Scotland|justice]].<ref name="history">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/history/pathtodevolution/index.htm |title=History – The Path to Devolution |publisher=Scottish Parliament |access-date=6 August 2007 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070914143535/http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/vli/history/pathtodevolution/index.htm |archive-date=14 September 2007}}</ref> The devolution movement came to a head in the 1970s, and resulted in a [[Royal Commission on the Constitution (United Kingdom)|Royal Commission on the Constitution]], leading to the [[Scotland Act 1978]]. This would have established an autonomous Scottish Executive with a leader termed 'First Secretary', a post for which [[Strathclyde]] political leader [[Geoff Shaw (minister)|Geoff Shaw]] was widely expected to be chosen.<ref name=herald>{{cite web |url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/news/12297106.through-an-open-door/ |title=Through an open door |last=Ferguson|first=Ron|date=27 April 1998 |work=The Herald |publisher=Herald & Times Group |location=Glasgow |access-date=27 February 2021}}</ref><ref name=indy>{{cite web |date=17 July 1993 |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/a-cry-of-gerrymander-as-strathclyde-is-axed-1485561.html |title=A cry of 'Gerrymander' as Strathclyde is axed |last=Ascherson|first=Neal |work=The Independent |location=London |access-date=27 February 2021}}</ref> Shaw died prematurely and the failure of the [[1979 Scottish devolution referendum|referendum of 1979]] led to the Act not being implemented.

Following the [[1997 Scottish devolution referendum|1997 referendum]] and [[Scotland Act 1998]], [[Scottish devolution]] led to the establishment of a post of first minister as head of the devolved Scottish Government.

Since 1999, the [[Secretary of State for Scotland]] of the [[British Government]] has had a much reduced role at the renamed [[Scotland Office]] as a result of the transfer of responsibilities to the Scottish Parliament and Scottish Government.<ref name="Secretary">{{cite web |url=http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/guidance/dgn03.pdf |title=Devolution Guidance Note 3 – The role of the Secretary of State for Scotland |publisher=Department for Constitutional Affairs (DCA) |date=October 2006 |access-date=6 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070926134229/http://www.dca.gov.uk/constitution/devolution/guidance/dgn03.pdf |archive-date=26 September 2007 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Election and term ==
===Nomination and selection===
The first minister is nominated by the Scottish Parliament at the beginning of each term, by means of an [[exhaustive ballot]] among its members, and is then formally appointed by the [[Monarchy of the United Kingdom|monarch]].<ref name="powers">{{cite web |url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1998/80046--d.htm#45 |title=Section 45 – Scotland Act 1998 |publisher=Office of Public Sector Information |access-date=30 July 2007}}</ref>

Although any member of the Scottish Parliament can be nominated for first minister, the government must maintain the confidence of the Scottish Parliament in order to gain supply (access to exchequer funds) and remain in office. For this reason, every permanent first minister has been the leader of the largest party, or the leader of the senior partner in any majority [[coalition]].  There is no term of office for a first minister; they hold office "[[at His Majesty's pleasure]]". In practice, a first minister cannot remain in office against the will of the Scottish Parliament; indeed, the Scotland Act explicitly requires the first minister to either resign or seek a parliamentary dissolution (and with it, new elections) if his or her government "no longer enjoys the confidence of the Parliament."  Whenever the office of first minister falls vacant, the sovereign is responsible for appointing the new incumbent upon nomination by the Scottish Parliament; the appointment is formalised at a meeting between the sovereign and the first minister designate.<ref name="powers"/>

Given the [[additional member system]] used to elect its members, it is difficult for a single party to gain an overall majority of seats in the Scottish Parliament.<ref name="pr">{{cite web|url=http://www.politics.co.uk/issue-briefs/domestic-policy/elections/proportional-representation/proportional-representation-$366642.htm |title=Proportional Representation – What is Proportional Representation? |publisher=Politics UK |access-date=7 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070211094208/http://www.politics.co.uk/issue-briefs/domestic-policy/elections/proportional-representation/proportional-representation-%24366642.htm |archive-date=11 February 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The SNP did gain an overall majority of seats in the [[2011 Scottish Parliament election|2011 election]], and thus had enough numbers to vote in its leader, [[Alex Salmond]], as first minister for a second term.

After the [[Elections in Scotland|election of the Scottish Parliament]], a first minister must be nominated within a period of 28 days.<ref name="powers"/> Under the terms of the Scotland Act, if the Parliament fails to nominate a first minister, within this time frame, it will be dissolved and a fresh election held.<ref name="powers"/> If an incumbent first minister is defeated in a general election, they do not immediately vacate office. The first minister only leaves office when the Scottish Parliament nominates a successor individual.<ref name="powers"/>

===Oath of office===

After accepting office, the first minister takes the [[Official Oath]], as set out in the Promissory Oaths Act 1868.<ref name="oath">{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.scot/News/Releases/2007/05/17115334 |title=First Minister takes oath |publisher=Scottish Government |date=17 May 2007 |access-date=7 August 2007 |archive-date=16 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201116232800/https://www2.gov.scot/News/Releases/2007/05/17115334 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The oath is tendered by the [[Lord President of the Court of Session]] at a sitting of the Court in [[Parliament House, Edinburgh|Parliament House]] in Edinburgh.<ref name="oath"/> The oath is:
{{blockquote|I, [''name''], do swear that I will well and truly serve His Majesty King Charles in the office of first minister of the [[Scottish Government]], So help me God.}}

===Term length===
[[File:Court of Session (53707036026).jpg|thumb|First Minister John Swinney taking the oath of office at the [[Court of Session]]]]

The period in office of a first minister is not linked to the term of [[members of the Scottish Parliament]]. The Scotland Act set out a four-year maximum term for each session of Parliament.<ref name="elections">{{cite web |url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1998/80046--a.htm#2 |title=Scotland Act 1998 – Ordinary General Elections |publisher=Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) |access-date=7 August 2007}}</ref> The Act specifies that an election to the Scottish Parliament will be held on the first Thursday in May, every four years, starting from 1999.<ref name="elections"/> Parliament can be dissolved and an extraordinary general election held, before the expiration of the four-year term, but only if two-thirds (or more) of elected MSPs vote for such action in a resolution of the Scottish Parliament.  If a simple majority of MSPs voted a no-confidence motion in the first minister or government, that would trigger a 28-day period for the nomination of a replacement; should that time period expire without the nomination of a new first minister, then an extraordinary election would have to be called.<ref name="elections2">{{cite web |url=http://www.opsi.gov.uk/ACTS/acts1998/80046--a.htm#3 |title=Scotland Act 1998 – Extraordinary General Elections |publisher=Office of Public Sector Information (OPSI) |access-date=7 August 2007}}</ref>

The first minister, once appointed, continues in office as the head of the Scottish Government until they resign, are dismissed or die in office. Resignation can be triggered by the passage of a [[Motion of No Confidence]] in the first minister or the Scottish Government or by rejecting a [[motion of confidence]] in the Scottish Parliament.<ref name="powers"/> In those situations, the first minister must tender their resignation and the resignation of their government.<ref name="powers"/> In such circumstances, the [[Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament|presiding officer]] would appoint an interim first minister, until the Scottish Parliament determined on a new nominee to be appointed by the monarch.<ref name="powers"/>

During their tenure in office, the First Minister is supported by the [[Chief of Staff to the First Minister]], who acts at the first minister's principal adviser on the first minister's strategic programme in government, inter-governmental relations, co-ordination of the team of special advisers to the first minister.<ref>{{cite web |title=Special advisers |url=https://www.gov.scot/publications/special-advisers/ |website=www.gov.scot |access-date=2 June 2024 |language=en |date=31 May 2024}}</ref>

==Legislative powers==
===Scots Law and civil service===
[[File:Ruth Charteris and Dorothy Bain at Court of Session.jpg|thumb|right|Scotland's law officers – the [[Lord Advocate]] and [[Solicitor General for Scotland]] are appointed by the first minister]] 

As detailed in the Scotland Act 1998, the First Minister is responsible for recommending to the monarch a nominee for the position of [[Lord Advocate]] and [[Solicitor General for Scotland]]. The First Minister is also responsible for advocating whether a Lord Advocate or Solicitor General who is currently in post should be removed, subject to the approval of the Scottish Parliament.<ref name="Parliament.uk">{{cite web |date=8 July 2011 |title=HC 842 The role and powers of the Prime Minister |language=en-GB |work=Parliament.uk |url=https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201012/cmselect/cmpolcon/writev/842/m22.htm |access-date=8 September 2023}}</ref> Additionally, the First Minister has various functions and responsibilities regarding the appointments and removal of Scottish judges within the Scottish court system.<ref name="Parliament.uk"/>

The [[Permanent Secretary to the Scottish Government]] is nominated by the First Minister. The permanent secretary is the most senior civil servant in Scotland who serves to promote, implement, develop and communicating the Scottish Government's policy agenda. The First Minister is directly responsible for the management of the civil service in Scotland, as well as civil service staff within the Scottish Government.<ref name="Parliament.uk"/>

The First Minister has responsibility in respect of the exercise of operation and functions during vacancies which may arise in the offices of [[Lord President of the Court of Session]] and [[Lord Justice Clerk]] and the incapacity of the holders of those offices as outlined in the Senior Judiciary (Vacancies and Incapacity)(Scotland) Act 2006.<ref name="Parliament.uk"/> Additionally, the First Minister considers any action relating to recommendations made by the Standards Commission or Chief Investigating Officer in regards of Crown Appointments under Section 23 of the Ethical Standards in Public Life etc (Scotland) Act 2000.<ref name="Parliament.uk"/>

The First Minister is an official consultee regarding selections for membership of the [[Supreme Court of the United Kingdom|Supreme Court]].<ref name="Parliament.uk"/>

===Security and intelligence===

[[File:Scottish Government Resilience Room.png|thumb|right|The [[Scottish Government Resilience Room]] (SGoRR) in operation]]

The Office of the First Minister has responsibility for all functions relating to reports made by the Interception of Communications Commissioner and Intelligence Services Commissioner as detailed in both Sections 58 and 60 of the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act 2000.<ref name="Parliament.uk"/> During times of national crisis, such as flooding, terror attacks or public health emergencies, the First Minister chairs the [[Scottish Government Resilience Room]] (SGoRR).<ref>{{cite web | url=https://ready.scot/how-scotland-prepares/about-us | title=Who we are at Ready Scotland }}</ref> The function of the resilience room committee is to co-ordinate policy and response to major events in Scotland that affect the population and, with the help of specialist teams within the division assist department, develop detailed risk assessments which are used to inform policy across Scotland.<ref>{{cite web |date=8 September 2023 |title=Who we are at Ready Scotland |language=en-GB |work=Safer Scotland|url=https://ready.scot/how-scotland-prepares/about-us |access-date=8 September 2023}}</ref>

====Resilience response====

There are currently different levels of resilience response in Scotland which is overseen by the First Minister and Scottish Government ministers:<ref name="Safer Scotland">{{cite web |date=8 September 2023 |title=PRINCIPLES – APPROACH – GOOD PRACTICE PHILOSOPHY, PRINCIPLES, STRUCTURE AND REGULATORY DUTIES |language=en-GB |work=Safer Scotland|url=https://ready.scot/how-scotland-prepares/preparing-scotland-guidance/philosophy-principles-structure-and-regulatory/chapter-5-resilience-governance-arrangements |access-date=8 September 2023}}</ref>

* Cabinet Sub-Committee: Scottish Government Resilience CSC
* The Scottish Resilience Partnership (SRP)
* Scottish Government Resilience (Ministerial): SGoR(M)
* Scottish Government Resilience (Officials): SGoR(O)
* [[Scottish Government Resilience Room]] (SGoRR)

The first minister has chaired meetings of the Scottish Government Resilience Room on numerous occasions, such as in the aftermath of the [[2007 Glasgow Airport attack]] and ahead of [[Storm Éowyn]] making landfall in Scotland in January 2025.<ref>{{cite web |title=John Swinney to chair emergency meeting as red weather warning issued |url=https://www.thenational.scot/news/24879027.scotland-weather-john-swinney-chair-emergency-meeting/ |website=The National |access-date=23 January 2025 |language=en |date=23 January 2025}}</ref>

====Resilience levels====

The First Minister is directly responsible for each of the corresponding resilience levels in Scotland, and has the responsibility of the Scottish Government Liaison Offices who can be deployed in emergencies and national crisis to act as the principal point of contact for the First Minister, Scottish Government and other Scottish ministers.<ref name="Safer Scotland"/>
[[File:First Minister Alex Salmond with Great Seal of Scotland (9931976733).jpg|thumb|right|The first minister concurrently holds the office of [[Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland]] during their tenure as First Minister]]  

If a crisis or emergency is considered to affect the entirely of either the United Kingdom or the British Isles, such as the [[2007 Glasgow Airport attack]], the UK Government and Scottish Government (along with the governments of both Wales and Northern Ireland), will develop a co-ordinate response to a UK wide emergency or crisis.<ref name="Safer Scotland"/> The First Minister is directly responsible for co-ordinating this policy and would be called to attend the UK Government's emergency room, [[Cabinet Office Briefing Rooms|COBRA]], for instances such as a significant terrorist attack, a serious outbreak of animal disease or emergencies affecting large numbers of British citizens overseas.<ref name="Safer Scotland"/>

===Keeper of the Great Seal===
{{see|Great Seal of Scotland}} 

The First Minister is the [[Keeper of the Great Seal of Scotland]] which is considered to be one of the highest privileges of the office. The First Minister has additional responsibility over how Wafer Scottish Seals are to be kept and how they are to be taken under section 38(4) & 38(5)(b) of the Scotland Act. The First Minister has the power to sign royal warrants on behalf of the monarch.<ref name="Parliament.uk"/>

As Keeper of the Great Seal, First Minister Humza Yousaf was the first First Minister to oversee the departure of the [[Stone of Scone]], an ancient symbol of Scotland's nationhood, for [[Westminster Abbey]] for usage in the [[Coronation of Charles III and Camilla]] on 6 May.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://news.stv.tv/scotland/humza-yousaf-ill-make-sure-stone-of-destiny-comes-back-to-scotland-after-it-leaves-for-kings-coronation | title=Yousaf: I'll be making sure Stone of Destiny comes back to Scotland | date=27 April 2023 }}</ref>

===Privy Council===
[[File:Jack McConnell issued the Royal Warrant by the Queen.jpg|thumb|left|The First Minister becomes a member of the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]] upon receiving the Royal Warrant from the monarch]]

The First Minister is a member of the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom|Privy Council]] and is appointed by the Monarch. There are a variety of matters in which the Prime Minister would offer advice to the monarch on the exercise of their functions and on which it would be appropriate for the Prime Minister to consult or to take advice from the First Minister. Such matters include the recommendations of Scottish candidates for honours and dignities, which are currently a reserved matter under the devolution settlement, and advice on the appointment of the Lords Lieutenants in Scotland, the Lord High Commissioner to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland and members of the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution and the Forestry Commission. There are also matters where a Minister of the Crown gives advice to the reigning monarch and the First Minister would need to be consulted by the Minister of the Crown, or would be required to give advice to that Minister of the Crown.<ref name="Parliament.uk"/>

The Scotland Act 1998 confers upon the First Minister various functions of advising the monarch directly. Such functions include seeking the monarch's approval regarding the appointment of Scottish Ministers as well as recommending to the monarch nominations for appointment as Scottish Law Officers. Section 95 of the Scotland Act highlights the arrangements for the First Minister to nominate for the appointment as Lord President of the Court of Session and Lord Justice Clerk. Additionally, the Scotland Act also grants the First Minister to recommend to the monarch the appointment of other judges.<ref name="Parliament.uk"/>

== Executive powers ==

The First Minister is the head of the Scottish Government and is responsible for the overall development, implementation and presentation of the government's policies, as well as responsible promoting and representing Scotland at home and overseas.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/first-minister/ | title=First Minister }}</ref> The role and powers of the first minister are set out in sections 45 to 49 of the [[Scotland Act 1998]].<ref name="powers"/>

===Cabinet appointments===
{{main|Scottish cabinet}}

[[File:Cabinet meeting.jpg|thumb|right|The First Minister is responsible for chairing the Scottish Cabinet]]

Following their appointment, the first minister then nominates [[List of Scottish Executive ministerial teams|ministers]] to sit in the [[Scottish Cabinet]] and junior ministers to form the Scottish Government. They are then formally elected by the Scottish Parliament. Ministers hold office at His Majesty's Pleasure and may be removed from office, at any time, by the first minister. The first minister also has the power to appoint the law officers and chief legal officers of the Scottish Government – the [[lord advocate]] and the [[Solicitor General for Scotland|solicitor general]] but only with the support of the Scottish Parliament.

===Accountability to parliament===

The first minister is responsible to the Scottish Parliament for their actions and the actions of the overall Scottish Government. MSPs can scrutinise the activities of the first minister and their Cabinet by tabling written questions or by asking oral questions in the Scottish Parliament. Direct questioning of the first minister takes place at [[First Minister's Questions (Scottish Parliament)|First Minister's Questions]] (FMQs) each Thursday at noon when Parliament is sitting. The 30-minute session enables MSPs to ask questions of the first minister, on any issue. The leaders of the largest opposition parties have an allocation of questions and are allowed to question the first minister each week. Opposition leaders normally ask an opening question to the first minister, relating to their meeting with the Scottish Cabinet, or when they next expect to meet the Prime Minister, and then follow this up by asking a supplementary question on an issue of their choosing.

In addition to direct questioning, the first minister is also able to deliver oral statements to the Scottish Parliament chamber, after which members are invited to question the first minister on the substance of the statement. For example, at the beginning of each parliamentary term, the first minister normally delivers a statement, setting out the legislative programme of the Government, or a statement of government priorities over the forthcoming term.<ref name="Programme for Government">{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.scot/About/Performance/programme-for-government |title=About: Performance: Programme for Government |publisher=Scottish Government |access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref>

===International and foreign relations===
{{main|List of consular missions in Scotland}}

====Foreign policy====
[[File:First Minister meets with Icelandic President - 53658418788.jpg|thumb|right|First Minister [[Humza Yousaf]] with [[President of Iceland]], [[Guðni Th. Jóhannesson]], at [[Bute House]]]] 

Whilst foreign policy remains a reserved matter,<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 February 2017 |title=Devolved and Reserved Matters – Visit & Learn |url=http://www.parliament.scot/visitandlearn/Education/18642.aspx |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170722092046/http://www.parliament.scot/visitandlearn/Education/18642.aspx |archive-date=22 July 2017 |access-date=1 August 2018 |publisher=Scottish Parliament}}</ref> the Scottish Government, and the First Minister, are able to promote the economy of the country and Scottish interests internationally and encourage foreign businesses, international devolved, regional and central governments to invest in Scotland.<ref>{{Cite web |title=International |url=http://www.gov.scot/Topics/International |access-date=1 August 2018 |publisher=gov.scot}}</ref> 

Whilst the first minister usually undertakes a number of international visits to promote Scotland, international relations, European and Commonwealth relations are also included within the portfolios of the [[Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs]] (responsible for international development)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs |url=https://beta.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/cabinet-secretary-culture-tourism-external-affairs |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180801221257/https://beta.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/cabinet-secretary-culture-tourism-external-affairs |archive-date=1 August 2018 |access-date=1 August 2018 |publisher=gov.scot}}</ref> and the [[Minister for International Development and Europe]] (responsible for European Union relations and international relations).<ref>{{Cite web |title=Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development |url=https://beta.gov.scot/about/who-runs-government/cabinet-and-ministers/minister-international-development-europe |access-date=1 August 2018 |publisher=gov.scot}}</ref> 

Overall accountability for intergovernmental relations is the responsibility of the First Minister.<ref name="assets.publishing.service.gov.uk">{{cite web |url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/1046083/The_Review_of_Intergovernmental_Relations.pdf |title=The Review of Intergovernmental Relations |publisher=Government of the United Kingdom |access-date=30 May 2023}}</ref>

====International relations====
{{main|International relations of Scotland}} 

During [[Donald Dewar]]'s tenure as First Minister, he made a total of five international visits – [[Belgium]], [[Republic of Ireland]], [[Netherlands]], [[Japan]] and another in Ireland – before his death in October 2000. [[Henry McLeish]] conducted six international visits – [[Italy]], three in Belgium, [[United States of America]], [[Finland]], and a joint visit to Japan and [[Taiwan]]. McLeish led the Scottish Executive's response to the [[September 11 attacks]] in the United States.<ref name="auto">{{Cite web |last=Ross |first=Calum |title=Henry McLeish feared Scotland was 'at risk' as September 11 attacks unfolded |date=10 September 2021 |url=https://www.pressandjournal.co.uk/fp/news/politics/scottish-politics/3459059/henry-mcleish-feared-scotland-was-at-risk-as-september-11-attacks-unfolded/}}</ref> He was initially concerned about Scotland's defence strategy and feared the country's major cities, such as [[Glasgow]], [[Edinburgh]] and [[Aberdeen]], would be targets based on their economic strength and significance to the Scottish, UK and European economies.<ref name="auto" />

On September 13, 2001, McLeish moved a motion in the [[Scottish Parliament]] to send condolences to the [[United States|people of the United States and New York]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Meeting of the Scottish Parliament |url=https://www.parliament.scot/chamber-and-committees/official-report/search-what-was-said-in-parliament/meeting-of-parliament-13-09-2001?meeting=4322&iob=29741 |website=www.parliament.scot |access-date=24 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Through the motion, McLeish said "the Parliament condemns the senseless and abhorrent acts of terrorism carried out in the United States yesterday and extends our deepest sympathies to those whose loved ones have been killed or injured".<ref>{{Cite web |title=On this 9/11 anniversary, the need to become 'patriots of humanity' has never been more important - Henry McLeish |url=https://www.scotsman.com/news/opinion/911-on-this-anniversary-we-should-become-patriots-of-humanity-not-just-of-narrow-nationalism-henry-mcleish-3378683 |website=www.scotsman.com}}</ref> Henry McLeish's successor, [[Jack McConnell]] engaged in a total of 28 international visits during his tenure as First Minister between 2001 and 2007. McConnell carried out international engagements in Ireland, five in the United States, eight in Belgium, [[South Africa]], two in Italy, [[Austria]], three in [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Greece]], the Netherlands, [[China]], [[Malawi]], [[Canada]] and [[Australia]]. McConnell spearheaded the establishment of the [[Scotland Malawi Partnership]] in 2004, which co-ordinates the activities of Scottish individuals and organisations with existing links to Malawi, and aims to foster further links between both countries. 

[[File:President Donald Trump meets with Scottish First Minister John Swinney and U.K. Ambassador to the U.S. Peter Mandelson (54778210513).jpg|thumb|left|First Minister [[John Swinney]] meets with US [[President of the United States|President]], [[Donald Trump]], in the [[Oval Office]] at the [[White House]], September 2025]] 

[[Alex Salmond]], Scotland's fourth First Minister from 2007 to 2014, engaged in a total of twenty overseas visits during his tenure as First Minister. Salmond's international engagements included visits to Belgium, five in the United States, [[Sri Lanka]], three in Ireland, [[Spain]], [[Hong Kong]], two in China, [[Denmark]], [[Guernsey]], two in the [[Isle of Man]], [[Norway]] and [[India]]. In response to the Brexit vote, first minister [[Nicola Sturgeon]] travelled to [[Brussels]] to meet with both [[Jean-Claude Juncker]], the [[President of the European Commission]] as well as [[Martin Schulz]], the [[President of the European Parliament]], to discuss Scotland's future within the European Union.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://firstminister.gov.scot/3181-2/ |title=Protecting Scotland's role in the EU |access-date=9 July 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171010004559/https://firstminister.gov.scot/3181-2/ |archive-date=10 October 2017 |date=30 June 2016 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.faz.net/agenturmeldungen/dpa/schulz-empfaengt-schottin-sturgeon-zu-gespraech-ueber-brexit-folgen-14314820.htmlhtml |date=26 June 2006 |title=Schulz empfängt Schottin Sturgeon zu Gespräch über Brexit-Folgen |work=[[Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung]] |language=de|access-date=19 August 2019}}</ref> Sturgeon's successor, [[Humza Yousaf]]'s first international visit as First Minister was to [[Brussels]] in June 2023,<ref>{{cite web |title=Twitter Status |url=https://twitter.com/ScotGovBrussels/status/1674065328098115592 |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=Twitter |language=en}}</ref> which, during a three-day visit, sought to set out his "vision for a meaningful and mutually beneficial relationship" between Scotland and the [[European Union]].<ref name="auto7">{{cite web |date=2023-06-26 |title=Scots leader to visit Brussels to foster ties with EU |url=https://www.euractiv.com/section/eu-uk-relations/news/scots-leader-to-visit-brussels-to-foster-ties-with-eu/ |access-date=2023-08-01 |website=www.euractiv.com |language=en-GB}}</ref> Yousaf declared his desire to set up a permanent Scottish Government envoy to the European Union in Brussels to "aid the cause of independence".<ref>{{cite news |last=Andrews |first=Kieran |date=2023-07-31 |title=EU rebuffs Humza Yousaf's plan for Scottish envoy |newspaper=[[The Times]] |language=en |url=https://www.thetimes.com/uk/scotland/article/humza-yousaf-scottish-representative-eu-plan-rejected-lbdctjc68 |access-date=2023-08-01 |issn=0140-0460}}</ref><ref name="auto7"/>

First minister [[John Swinney]], who succeeded Humza Yousaf in May 2024, welcomed [[President of Zambia]], [[Hakainde Hichilema]], to [[Bute House]] in Edinburgh in June 2024 for a series of "high–level engagements", including strengthening bilateral relations between [[Zambia]] and Scotland, economic cooperation, education, and sustainable development.<ref>{{cite web |title=Zambia : President Hichilema Embarks on UK Visit for Bilateral Talks and Keynote Address |url=https://www.lusakatimes.com/2024/06/18/president-hichilema-embarks-on-uk-visit-for-bilateral-talks-and-keynote-address/ |website=Luska Times |access-date=11 July 2024 |date=18 June 2024}}</ref> During a visit to Germany in June 2024, Swinney met with the [[List of diplomats of the United Kingdom to Germany|British Ambassador to Germany]], [[Jill Gallard]], and visited [[Munich]] in order to promote Scotland, Scottish culture and tourism.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=John-Paul |title=First Minister John Swinney travels to Germany to join Tartan Army at Euros 2024 |url=https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/first-minister-john-swinney-travels-33027038 |website=Daily Record |access-date=11 July 2024 |language=en |date=14 June 2024}}</ref>
[[File:Sturgeon addresses the United Nations, 2017.jpg|thumb|right|Nicola Sturgeon addressing the [[United Nations]]]]

====Membership bodies====

The first minister is a member of the [[Prime Minister and Heads of Devolved Governments Council]], the [[Council of Nations and Regions]] and [[Conference of European Regions with Legislative Power]] (REGLEG). During the premiership of [[Jack McConnell]], Scotland held the presidency of REGLEG between 2003 and 2004.<ref>{{cite web |title=Scotland on the international stage |url=https://spice-spotlight.scot/2019/09/18/scotland-on-the-international-stage/ |website=SPICe Spotlight {{!}} Solas air SPICe |access-date=22 January 2025 |date=18 September 2019}}</ref> Other cabinet secretaries and junior ministers within the Scottish Government participate in tier two (the Inter-ministerial Standing Committee) and tier 3 (the Inter-ministerial Group) of The Council which may include areas including education, finance and economy, investment and trade and rural affairs.<ref name="assets.publishing.service.gov.uk"/> 

The First Minister represents Scotland at the annual [[British-Irish Council]] summits.<ref name="First Minister leads Scottish delegation to British-Irish Council">{{cite web |url=https://www.gov.scot/news/first-minister-leads-scottish-delegation-to-british-irish-council/ |title=First Minister leads Scottish delegation to British-Irish Council |publisher=Scottish Government |access-date=9 September 2023}}</ref> Incumbent first ministers also attend meetings of the [[United Nations]] on occasions. First minister [[Nicola Sturgeon]] addressed the [[United Nations General Assembly]] on the issue of gender equality and the role of women in conflict resolution in April 2017.<ref>{{cite web |title=Women's role in conflict resolution: First Minister's UN speech |url=https://www.gov.scot/publications/womens-role-in-conflict-resolution-fm-un-speech/ |website=www.gov.scot |access-date=22 January 2025 |language=en}}</ref> Additionally, Sturgeon addressed the [[2017 United Nations Climate Change Conference]].<ref>{{cite web |title=First Minister of Scotland to address UN Climate Change Conference |url=https://unfccc.int/news/first-minister-of-scotland-to-address-un-climate-change-conference |website=unfccc.int |access-date=22 January 2025}}</ref>

===Deputy and 'Acting' First Minister===

[[File:First Minister Nicola Sturgeon and Deputy First Minister John Swinney.jpg|thumb|left|The first minister is supported by the deputy first minister]]

Associated with the office of first minister, there is also the post of [[Deputy First Minister of Scotland|deputy first minister]]. Unlike the office of first minister, the post of deputy is not recognised in statute and confers no extra status on the holder. Like the first minister, the deputy first minister is an elected member of the Scottish Parliament and a member of the Scottish Government. From 1999 to 2007, when Scotland was governed by a Labour–Liberal Democrat coalition, the leader of the Liberal Democrats – the junior government party – was given the role of deputy first minister; a title which they held in conjunction with another ministerial portfolio. For example, [[Nicol Stephen]], deputy first minister from 2005 to 2007, simultaneously held the post of [[Minister for Enterprise and Lifelong Learning]].

On two occasions since 1999, the deputy first minister has assumed the role of 'acting' first minister, inheriting the powers of the first minister in their absence or incapacitation. From 11 October 2000 to 26 October 2000, following the death in office of the then First Minister [[Donald Dewar]], his deputy [[Jim Wallace, Baron Wallace of Tankerness|Jim Wallace]] became acting first minister, until the Labour party appointed a new leader, and consequently first minister.<ref name="acting">{{cite web |url=http://www.worldstatesmen.org/United_Kingdom.html#Scotland |title=World Statesmen – United Kingdom, Scotland |publisher=World Statesmen  |access-date=4 August 2007}} {{Deprecated inline|date=May 2024}}</ref> Wallace also became Acting First Minister between 8 November 2001 and 22 November 2001, following the resignation of [[Henry McLeish]].<ref name="acting"/>

An officer with such a title need not always exist; rather, the existence of the post is dependent on the form of Cabinet organisation preferred by the first minister and their party. The deputy first minister does not automatically succeed if a vacancy in the premiership is suddenly created. It may be necessary for the deputy to stand in for the first minister on occasion, for example by taking the [[Floor (legislative)|floor]] at First Minister's Questions.

=== Precedence and privileges ===
[[File:Royal Banner of Scotland, Holyrood Palace.jpg|thumb|right|The first minister as ''[[ex officio]]'' the keeper of the [[Great Seal of Scotland]] is permitted to fly the [[Royal Banner of Scotland]].]]
The first minister is, by virtue of section 45(7) of the Scotland Act 1998, ''[[ex officio]]'' the keeper of the [[Great Seal of Scotland]] and their place in the [[order of precedence in Scotland]] is determined by the holding of that office.<ref>Scotland Act 1998, section 45(7)</ref><ref name="precedence">{{cite web |url=http://www.burkespeerage.com/articles/scotland/page31a.aspx |title=The Scale of General Precedence in Scotland |publisher=Burkes Peerage |access-date=4 August 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101224203929/http://www.burkespeerage.com/articles/scotland/page31a.aspx |archive-date=24 December 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> The scale of precedence in Scotland was amended by [[Warrant (law)|royal warrant]] on 30 June 1999 to take account of devolution and the establishment of the post of first minister.<ref name="precedence"/> The amended scale reflected the transfer of the office of keeper of the Great Seal from the secretary of state for Scotland to the first minister and also created a rank for the [[presiding officer of the Scottish Parliament]].<ref name="precedence"/> Throughout Scotland, the first minister outranks all others except the [[British Royal Family|royal family]], [[lord lieutenant]]s, the [[sheriff principal]], the [[Lord Chancellor]], the [[moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland]], the [[prime minister of the United Kingdom]], the [[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|speaker of the House of Commons]] and the [[Lord Speaker]].<ref name="precedence"/> As keeper of the Great Seal, the first minister is entitled to fly the [[Royal Banner of Scotland]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.royal.uk/royal-banner-royal-arms-scotland |title=The Royal Banner of the Royal Arms of Scotland |publisher=The Royal Household|access-date=28 April 2023}}</ref>

As of April 2015, the first minister is entitled to draw a total salary of £144,687, which is composed of a basic MSP salary of £59,089 plus an additional salary of £85,598 for the role as first minister.<ref name="pay">{{cite web |url=http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/BusinessBulletins/bba15-48.pdf |title=BUSINESS BULLETIN No. 48/2015 |publisher=Scottish Parliament |date=17 March 2015 |access-date=17 March 2015}}</ref> This can be compared to the UK Prime Minister who is entitled to draw a total salary of £142,500, composed of a basic [[Member of Parliament|MP]] salary of £67,060 and an additional office holder's salary of £75,440 (the total entitlement for the prime minister had peaked at £198,661 in April 2011 but this was then dropped by around 25%).<ref name="salary">{{cite web |url=http://www.parliament.uk/briefing-papers/RP13-33/members-pay-and-expenses-current-rates-from-1-april-2013 |title=Members' pay and expenses – current rates from 1 April 2013 RESEARCH PAPER 13/33 |publisher=House of Commons |date=31 May 2013 |access-date=17 March 2015}}</ref> The first minister is the highest paid member of the Scottish Government. Sturgeon said she would claim £135,605, £9,082 less than her entitlement, as part of a voluntary pay freeze pegging her salary to 2008/09 levels.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/newsbeat-31970289 |title=The UK's highest paid politicians: Who gets what? |work=[[Newsbeat]] |publisher=BBC |date=19 March 2015}}</ref>

The first minister traditionally resides at [[Bute House]] which is located at number 6 [[Charlotte Square]] in the [[New Town, Edinburgh|New Town]] of [[Edinburgh]].<ref name="Bute">{{cite web |url=http://www.gov.scot/Resource/Doc/47021/0025798.pdf |title=Bute House Guidebook |publisher=Scottish Government |date=3 January 2003 |access-date=29 October 2014}}</ref> The house became the property of the [[National Trust for Scotland]] in 1966, after the death of the previous owner [[John Crichton-Stuart, 4th Marquess of Bute]] and remains in the ownership of the National Trust for Scotland.<ref name="Bute"/> Prior to devolution, Bute House was the official residence of the Secretary of State for Scotland.<ref name="Bute"/> Weekly meetings of the Scottish Cabinet take place in the Cabinet room of the house.<ref name="Bute"/> Bute House is also where the first minister holds press conferences, hosts visiting dignitaries and employs and dismisses government Ministers. The Office of the First Minister is located at [[St Andrews House]] in Edinburgh.<ref name="offices">{{cite web |url=https://firstminister.gov.scot/bute-house/ |title=Bute House |publisher=Office of the First Minister (Scottish Government) |access-date=8 April 2015}}</ref>

Appointments to the [[Privy Council of the United Kingdom]] are made by the [[Monarch of the United Kingdom|monarch]]. Once appointed, the first minister joins the Privy Council and advises the monarch on exercising their statutory and prerogative powers. To date all first ministers have been appointed [[List of current members of the British Privy Council|members]] of the Privy Council, and therefore entitled to use the style '[[Right Honourable]]'.<ref name="How is a First Minister of Scotland appointed?">{{cite web |last1=Torrance |first1=David |title=How is a First Minister of Scotland appointed? |url=https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/how-is-a-first-minister-of-scotland-appointed/#:~:text=Swearing%20in%20ceremony,private%20audience%20with%20the%20King. |website=Commons Library |access-date=11 September 2025 |date=29 April 2024}}</ref> Additionally, as the leader of the Scottish Government, the first minister and monarch have a [[Queen's audience room|private audience]] where they discuss issues relating to Scotland and the workings of the Scottish Government.<ref name="How is a First Minister of Scotland appointed?"/>

<gallery mode="packed" style="text-align: center;" height="150" perrow="3" caption="Privileges of office of First Minister">
File:Bute House, Charlotte Square Edinburgh.JPG|Official Residence, [[Bute House]] at 6 Charlotte Square in [[Edinburgh]]
St Andrew's House, Edinburgh (2496437377).jpg|The First Minister has an office at [[St Andrew's House]]   
Tesla Model 3 Monaco IMG 1212.jpg|One of the vehicles used by the Office of the First Minister, the [[Tesla Model 3]]<ref name="heraldscotland.com">{{cite web | url=https://www.heraldscotland.com/politics/20003878.elon-musks-tesla-scottish-government-new-ministerial-car-choice/ | title=Elon Musk's Tesla is Scottish Government new car of choice | date=18 March 2022 }}</ref>
20100731 kia k5 01.jpg|The First Minister, and other ministers, also use the [[Kia Optima]]<ref name="heraldscotland.com"/>
Local Heroes Design Project (48127431913).jpg|The First Minister has an office within the [[Scottish Parliament building]]

</gallery>

==List of nominating elections ==
{| class=wikitable
! rowspan=7 | Party key
| style="background: {{party color|Scottish Conservatives}}" | 
| [[Scottish Conservatives]]
|-
| style="background: {{party color|Scottish Labour}}" |
| [[Scottish Labour]]
|-
| style="background: {{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}" |
| [[Scottish Liberal Democrats]]
|-
| style="background: {{party color|Scottish National Party}}" |
| [[Scottish National Party]]
|-
| style="background: {{party color|Scottish Greens}}" |
| [[Scottish Greens]]
|-
| style="background: {{party color|Scottish Socialist Party}}" |
| [[Scottish Socialist Party]]
|-
| style="background: {{party color|Independent}}" |
| [[Independent politician|Independent]]
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+First Minister nominative elections
|-
!Parliamentary term
!Date
!colspan="1"|Candidates
!Votes received
|-
|rowspan="12"|[[1st Scottish Parliament|1st Parliament]]
|rowspan="4"|13 May 1999<ref>{{Cite news|title = Dewar wins top job|url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/342318.stm|newspaper = BBC|date = 1999-05-13|access-date = 2016-01-28}}</ref>
|{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} '''[[Donald Dewar]]'''
|'''71'''
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} Alex Salmond
|35
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[David McLetchie]]
|17
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Independent}}|border=darkgray}} [[Dennis Canavan]]
|3
|-
|rowspan="4"|26 October 2000<ref>{{Cite news|title = McLeish wins first minister title|url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/991398.stm|newspaper = BBC|date = 2000-10-26|access-date = 2016-01-28}}</ref>
|{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} '''[[Henry McLeish]]'''
|'''68'''
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} [[John Swinney]]
|33
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} David McLetchie
|19
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Independent}}|border=darkgray}} Dennis Canavan
|3
|-
|rowspan="4"|22 November 2001<ref>{{Cite news|title = 22 November 2001: McConnell elected First Minister|url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/democracylive/hi/historic_moments/newsid_8186000/8186187.stm|newspaper = BBC|date = 2009-10-31|access-date = 2016-01-28}}</ref>
|{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} '''[[Jack McConnell]]'''
|'''70'''
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} John Swinney
|34
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} David McLetchie
|19
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Independent}}|border=darkgray}} Dennis Canavan
|3
|-
|rowspan="7"|[[2nd Scottish Parliament|2nd Parliament]]
|rowspan="7"|15 May 2003<ref>{{Cite news|title = Second term for McConnell|url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/3029063.stm|website = BBC News| date=15 May 2003 |access-date = 2016-01-28}}</ref>
|{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} '''Jack McConnell'''
|'''67'''
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} John Swinney
|26
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} David McLetchie
|18
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish Green Party}}|border=darkgray}} [[Robin Harper]]
|6
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish Socialist Party}}|border=darkgray}} [[Tommy Sheridan]]
|6
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Independent}}|border=darkgray}} Dennis Canavan
|2
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Independent}}|border=darkgray}} [[Margo MacDonald]]
|2
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[3rd Scottish Parliament|3rd Parliament]]
|rowspan="2"|16 May 2007<ref>{{Cite news|title = Salmond elected as first minister|url = https://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6659531.stm|newspaper = BBC|date = 2007-05-16|access-date = 2016-03-19}}</ref>
|{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} '''[[Alex Salmond]]'''
|'''49'''
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Jack McConnell
|46
|-
|rowspan="3"|[[4th Scottish Parliament|4th Parliament]]
|18 May 2011<ref>{{Cite news|title = SNP leader Alex Salmond re-elected as first minister| work=BBC News | date=18 May 2011 |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13426524|access-date = 2016-02-16}}</ref>
|{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} '''Alex Salmond'''
|'''68'''
|-
|rowspan="2"|19 November 2014<ref>{{Cite news|title = Nicola Sturgeon is elected first minister of Scotland| work=BBC News |url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/av/uk-scotland-30118626|access-date = 2016-01-28}}</ref>
|{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} '''[[Nicola Sturgeon]]'''
|'''66'''
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Ruth Davidson]]
|15
|-
|rowspan="2"|[[5th Scottish Parliament|5th Parliament]]
|rowspan="2"|17 May 2016<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-36300892 | title=Nicola Sturgeon wins Scottish first minister vote | work=BBC News | date=17 May 2016 | access-date=17 May 2016}}</ref>
|{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} '''Nicola Sturgeon'''
|'''63'''
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Willie Rennie]]
|5
|-
|rowspan="11"|[[6th Scottish Parliament|6th Parliament]]
|rowspan="3"|18 May 2021<ref>{{cite news | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-57146752 | title=Nicola Sturgeon re-elected as Scotland's first minister | work=BBC News | date=18 May 2021 | access-date=18 May 2021}}</ref>
|{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} '''Nicola Sturgeon'''
|'''64'''
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Douglas Ross (Scottish politician)|Douglas Ross]]
|31
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Willie Rennie
|4
|-
|rowspan="4"|28 March 2023<ref>{{Cite news |date=2023-03-28 |title=Humza Yousaf confirmed as Scotland's new first minister |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-scotland-scotland-politics-65098609 |access-date=2023-03-28}}</ref>
|{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} '''[[Humza Yousaf]]'''
|'''71'''
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Douglas Ross
|31
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Anas Sarwar]]
|22
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} [[Alex Cole-Hamilton]]
|4
|-
|rowspan="4"|7 May 2024
|{{Color box|{{party color|Scottish National Party}}|border=darkgray}} '''[[John Swinney]]'''
|'''64'''
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Conservative Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Douglas Ross
|31
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Labour Party (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Anas Sarwar
|22
|-
|{{Color box|{{party color|Liberal Democrats (UK)}}|border=darkgray}} Alex Cole-Hamilton
|4
|-
|}

== Timeline of Scottish first ministers ==
{{main|List of first ministers of Scotland}}
{{Timeline Scottish FM Horizontal}}

==See also==
* [[List of current heads of government in the United Kingdom and dependencies]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

== References ==
{{reflist|35em}}

== External links ==
* [http://www.firstminister.gov.scot/ Office of the First Minister of Scotland website]
* [http://www.gov.scot/About/ Scottish Cabinet]
* [http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/ormain.aspx Scottish Parliament Official Report]

{{s-start}}
{{s-prec|sc}}
{{succession box |title=[[Order of precedence in Scotland|Order of Precedence]]<br />(gentlemen)| before=[[Speaker of the House of Commons (United Kingdom)|Speaker of the House of Commons]]| after=[[Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament]] | years=}}
{{s-end}}
{{Scottish Cabinet}}{{Scottish devolution}}{{Scotland topics}}
{{ScottishFirstMinisters}}
{{UK heads of governments}}

{{authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:First Minister Of Scotland}}
[[Category:Heads of government]]
[[Category:Lists of political office-holders in Scotland]]
[[Category:First ministers of Scotland| ]]
[[Category:Scotland politics-related lists]]
[[Category:Ministerial posts of the Scottish Government]]