 | 'The dull, male-dominated establishment of the House of Commons was brightened up by a charming, vivacious and principled nationalist who had the very rare ability to speak from the head and the heart at the same time.' Ex SNP leader, John Swinney MSP, 27 th March 2006. |  |
People from all walks of life came together at the weekend to bid a final farewell to one of Scotland's best-known political figures - "a true Flower of Scotland".
All the main parties were represented at the funeral on Saturday of Moray MSP Margaret Ewing, with St Gerardine's High Church in Lossiemouth packed to overflowing.
In keeping with the passionate nationalism to which she was devoted, the occasion resonated with patriotic fervour.
Mrs Ewing's coffin was draped in the Saltire and left the church as the congregation sang Scots Wha Hae.
The eulogy was delivered by former SNP leader John Swinney, a long-standing friend, who said Mrs Ewing had made an enormous contribution to the life of the nation.
Mrs Ewing, a member of a family whose name has become synonymous with the SNP since her mother-in-law, Winnie, won Hamilton in 1967, died at her home in Lossiemouth last Tuesday, aged 60.
She had suffered a succession of health problems in recent years.
The mourners were led by her husband Fergus, MSP for Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber, who was supported by his mother and sister Annabelle.
Most of Mrs Ewing's SNP colleagues in the Scottish Parliament were there, as were party leader Alex Salmond and his deputy Nicola Sturgeon.
Education Minister Peter Peacock represented the Scottish Executive and the mourners also included the parliament's Presiding Officer, George Reid, and former Scottish Liberal Democrat leader Jim Wallace, MSP for Orkney.
Several Moray councillors, including convener Eddie Coutts and vice-convener Alasdair Urquhart, also paid their respects.
In a political throwback, the funeral was also attended by Sheriff Alex Pollock, a former Tory MP from whom Mrs Ewing captured the Moray seat in 1987.
Mrs Ewing represented the constituency at Westminster until 2001 and had been the area's MSP since 1999.
Mr Swinney told mourners she had remained committed to a political ideal that had inspired her at a young age.
She had been universally respected and would be fondly remembered for her contribution to politics in Scotland.
The former party leader said she had burst on to the political scene at Westminster when she won East Dunbartonshire for the SNP in 1974.
"What she lacked in the size of her majority - it was only 22 votes - she made up with an abundance of intelligence and glamour," he said.
"The dull, male-dominated establishment of the House of Commons was brightened up by a charming, vivacious and principled nationalist who had the very rare ability to speak from the head and the heart at the same time."
Mr Swinney said Mrs Ewing was renowned for her active constituency work and respected for the welfare support she gave to the families of service personnel in her constituency.
She was also admired for her tenacious support of the campaigns to secure a maternity unit at Dr Gray's Hospital in Elgin and a day-care hospice for Moray.
Mr Swinney said she had been a devoted representative of the Moray community, a distinguished parliamentarian at Westminster and a member of the Scottish Parliament which she had done so much to bring about.
St Gerardine's minister, the Rev Thomas Bryson, described Mrs Ewing, who was a member of his congregation, as a "remarkable woman" and a "true Flower of Scotland".
"Margaret was a woman who was understanding and passionate in everything she did," Mr Bryson said.
He said she was someone who was exceptionally special not only to those who knew her but to Scotland as a nation.
"We are here to acknowledge all that she achieved in a life that impacted on so many," he added.
Mrs Ewing, who was brought up in Lanarkshire where her father was a farm servant, will be cremated privately today.
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