FIGURES across the political spectrum have paid tribute to Winnie Ewing after her death at the age of 93.
On Thursday, news broke that the former MP, MEP and MSP had died.
Former first minister Nicola Sturgeon called her a “master of the art of campaigning” and sent her sympathies to her children Fergus, Annabelle and Terry.
She tweeted: “Heartbroken by this news. I can’t begin to convey the depth of gratitude I feel for the advice, wisdom, encouragement and inspiration Winnie gave me and so many others over the years.
“She was a master of the art of campaigning and it was a privilege to learn from her.
“Today, Scotland has lost one of her foremost patriots and champions, [the SNP] and the independence movement have lost a beloved icon, and [Fergus] [Annabelle] and Terry have lost their mum.
“My condolences to them and the wider family. Thank you [Madame Ecosse].”
Her predecessor Alex Salmond, now leader of the Alba Party, said: "Winnie Ewing was the most influential Scottish nationalist of the 20th century.
"Her triumph in the Hamilton by-election of 1967 defined modern Scottish nationalism and started a period of unbroken parliamentary representation which has lasted more than half a century.
"This dramatic breakthrough was encompassed in her own phrase, 'stop the world Scotland, wants to get on', and with the support of her family she continued to dazzle the Scottish political scene."
Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross said: “Winnie Ewing’s passing is extremely sad news and my thoughts are with her children Fergus, Annabelle and Terry at this time as well as the rest of her family and friends.
“While she was a titan of the SNP party and the wider independence movement, she rightly enjoyed cross-party respect.
“She was a real trailblazer and served her constituents and the country so well in three separate Parliaments as an MP, MSP and MEP.
"Indeed, I am proud that she was one of my predecessors as the MP for the constituency I now represent. Winnie was still spoken of so fondly in the local area as the former MP for Moray and Nairn.
“I remember writing about Winnie in a competition as a pupil at Forres Academy to attend the official opening of the Scottish Parliament. She inspired so many generations with her immense contribution to Scottish politics.
“Winnie Ewing made a lasting impact on our country and our politics and her efforts locally and nationally will be fondly remembered by so many at this difficult time.”
Lorna Slater, the co-leader of the Scottish Greens, said: "Winnie Ewing was a trailblazer for the independence movement first as a young woman, as an energetic campaigner and ultimately as a politician who helped deliver the Scottish Parliament.
“She influenced her party and generations of voters, which is perhaps the most fitting of legacies she could be remembered by. We offer our sincere condolences to her family, friends and colleagues at this most difficult of times.”
Murdo Fraser, Tory MSP for the Mid Scotland and Fife region, said: "Sad news about Winnie Ewing. I served with her in the first session at Holyrood and she was always engaging company."
The LibDems' Scottish affairs spokesperson Christine Jardine said: "I am so sad to hear of passing of the incomparable Winnie Ewing.
"Madame Ecosse helped shape modern Scottish politics. As a young reporter I was honoured to meet her on several occasions.
"My thoughts are with Fergus, Annabel and their family."
Rhun ap Iorwerth, the leader of Plaid Cymru, said: "On behalf of [Plaid Cymru] I wish to express our sincere condolences to the family and friends of Winnie Ewing, a true titan of the [SNP] and independence movements."
Peter Bottomley, the Conservative MP known as the “Father of the House” as Westminster’s oldest MP, served in Parliament with Ewing and paid tribute to her after Pete Wishart informed the chamber of her passing on Thursday afternoon.
He said: “As one of the people who served here with her, can I say that [Wishart’s] can I say that his words will be echoed by many others.”
Wishart concluded his tribute to Ewing, saying: “We will miss her immensely and we will not see her likes again.”
Deputy speaker Nigel Evans said: “Winnie was a formidable politician in three separate parliaments. I don’t know if that’s unprecedented but she was a formidable voice for Scotland and her passing will leave a vacuum in the world of politics, not only in Scotland but throughout the whole of the United Kingdom and indeed within Europe as well.
“Please pass onto her family the deepest condolences of the British Parliament.”
LibDem MP Jamie Stone added: “I think I am the only member present here who actually served with Doctor Winnie Ewing in Holyrood and it was a great pleasure and an honour to have known her.
“On a personal level, as a new member first elected in 1999, she showed me tremendous kindness for which I’m very grateful and I will never forget.”
Ewing's election to Westminster in 1967 was a watershed moment in Scottish politics. It began the SNP's unbroken period of representation after sputtering false starts in the mid-20th century, which lasts to this day.
She was known as Madame Ecosse, a term originally coined by the French paper Le Monde, because of her advocacy of Scottish issues while a member of the European Parliament.
One of her most famous moments came towards the end of her political career when she was tasked with presiding over the reopening of the Scottish Parliament in 1999.
As the oldest member of the house, the Highlands MSP announced: "The Scottish Parliament, adjourned on the 25th day of March in the year 1707, is hereby reconvened."
Flags are being flown at half mast at the Scottish Parliament and MSPs paid tribute to the former politician in the Holyrood chamber.
