 | 'Margaret was a lovely person. Her commitment to Scotland over 32 years of public service was as outstanding as it was unstinting.' Presiding Officer, George Reid MSP, 21 st March 2006. |  |
| 'Margaret was a lovely person. Her commitment to Scotland over 32 years of public service was as outstanding as it was unstinting.' Presiding Officer, George Reid MSP, 21 st March 2006. | |
TRIBUTES flooded in today for MSP Margaret Ewing, who has died aged 60.
Mrs Ewing, who underwent treatment for breast cancer in 2002, had been ill for some time and was believed to have died at her home in Lossiemouth.
Members of the Scottish Parliament were this afternoon paying tribute to the SNP veteran.
A spokeswoman said a motion of condolence would be passed by the Parliament.
She added: "MSPs from across the parties will speak in support of the motion that 'the Parliament expresses its deep regret and sadness at the death of Margaret Ewing MSP, offers its sympathies and condolences to her family and friends and recognises her widely-appreciated contribution to Scottish politics and public life'."
The ploughman's daughter became one of the SNP's most prominent figures.
She was married to Fergus and was the daughter-in-law of leading Nationalist Winnie Ewing.
Margaret was one of Britain's youngest MPs when she won East Dunbartonshire by a majority of just 22 in 1974.
Born in Lanark, she went to Glasgow University and gained a teaching diploma at Jordanhill College of Education in 1968.
She became MP for Moray in 1987, winning that seat from the Tories, and later stood for the leadership of the SNP but was beaten by Alex Salmond.
She was re-elected to Moray five times, first as an MP and then as an MSP.
As MP for Moray, she was one of the original campaigners for extra winter heating payments and also fought on behalf of Scotland's whisky industry, much of which was located in her area. She had interests in education and the developing world.
Today, she was remembered with affection by politicians.
SNP leader Alex Salmond said: "Margaret was one of the few politicians without an enemy."
First Minister Jack McConnell said: "Margaret was popular with members from all parties."
The Presiding Officer of the Scottish Parliament, George Reid, who as a young SNP MP shared an office with her at Westminster in the 1970s, said: "Margaret was a lovely person. Her commitment to Scotland over 32 years of public service was as outstanding as it was unstinting."
Holyrood leader Nicola Sturgeon said: "I and all my colleagues in Holyrood will miss her optimism, her dedication and her friendship. I, in particular, will miss her wise counsel."
Annabel Goldie, the Tories' Scottish leader, said: "She was an able parliamentarian and a doughty advocate for the constituents whose interests she represented robustly and eloquently."
Liberal Democrat leader and Deputy First Minister Nicol Stephen said: "She was one of the kindest and friendliest people in politics."
Ms Ewing's death will create a by-election in Moray.
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