IN PICTURES: Departing First Minister Humza Yousaf’s visits to Moray
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AS SCOTLAND’S First Minister Humza Yousaf resigns from his post, The Northern Scot is looking back on his visits to Moray.
Mr Yousaf was only First Minister for 13 months - having been appointed on March 29, 2023 - but managed to visit Elgin, Forres, Lossiemouth and Fochabers in that time.
He made two separate visits to Moray in his short spell as SNP leader - and one on the campaign trail.
Humza Yousaf’s first visit came in March 2023, when he was at Dr Gray’s Hospital and UHI Moray in Elgin, where he thanked five Moray councillors for backing his leadership campaign.
He said he was “honoured” to have the support of Graham Leadbitter (Elgin City South), Jérémie Fernandes (Elgin City North), Theresa Coull (Keith and Cullen), John Stuart (Buckie) and Sonya Warren (Buckie).
Mr Yousaf’s first trip to the area after being announced as First Minister was in July 2023, when he visited Speyfest in Fochabers with his family.
He made a ‘mocktail’, met locals, and took the stage to introduce the Auld Fochabers Fiddlers.
More serious matters were at hand, though, when Mr Yousaf was interviewed by Northern Scot reporter Lewis McBlane.
He gave a “cast-iron” guarantee that the A96 would be dualled, adding that the Scottish Government would not move "one inch" on the commitments.
Just two months ago, Mr Yousaf visited Forres and Lossiemouth.
In Forres, he praised the work of local solar firm AES Solar. Meeting with staff, he said he was "really impressed" with how the business has been at the heart of the renewables sector for more than 40 years.
Mr Yousaf also quizzed founder and outgoing managing director George Goudsmit (82) about his generational career at the firm.
On the same day, he headed over to Lossiemouth where he met locals and backed councillor Graham Leadbitter’s bid to become the MP for Moray West, Nairn and Strathspey.
