Fond tributes to Christina McKelvie as hundreds attend MSP's funeral (2025)

Family, friends, constituents and figures from across Scottish politics gathered to honour the popular MSP and Scottish Government minister

Christina McKelvie was remembered as “truly remarkable”, “fearless” and “kind” as hundreds of mourners gathered to pay their respects at her funeral.

The popular Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse MSP was honoured at Friday’s service at Daldowie crematorium, attended by senior figures from across Scottish politics alongside relatives, friends and constituents.

Many wore bright colours of pink, yellow, blue and turquoise in honour of the long-serving politician and Scottish Government minister, who was described in fulsome Holyrood tributes as “glamorous, sparkly and fun”.

Mum of two and grandmother Ms McKelvie died of breast cancer last month, aged just 57. She had been an MSP since 2007, had represented the Hamilton constituency for nearly 14 years and had held three different portfolios over her eight years as a government minister.

Holyrood’s parliamentary piper, Stuart McMillan MSP, led the funeral procession to the crematorium, where the service was screened in a second chapel and further relayed on speakers.

The many politicians attending included former first minister Nicola Sturgeon, deputy first minister Kate Forbes, Scottish Parliament presiding officer Alison Johnstone, Labour leader Anas Sarwar, Scottish government colleagues and MSPs from across the political spectrum.

Ms McKelvie’s partner, fellow SNP politician Keith Brown, helped carry her Saltire-draped coffin into the crematorium. He told how the Hamilton MSP was “loved by the electorate” and said: “That’s just incredible, and I think, probably unique.”

He paid tribute to her passions for human rights, equality and social justice; while her son Jack said: “Kindness was at the centre of who she was”.

Ms Sturgeon called her great friend “fearless” and “one in a trillion”, calling her the “best ministerial appointment” she had made to the Scottish Government and saying: “It’s almost impossible to imagine a world without Christina McKelvie.

“Her presence, her infectious laughs, those amazing hugs, her zest for life, her zeal for a world free of injustice, and, of course, her burning passion for a Scotland, free, independent, a beacon of equality across the globe – all these things encapsulate the truly remarkable human being that she was.

“The sheer number and diversity of people here is a testament to the indelible mark she has left on the hearts of so many people across our country. Christina, the world just won’t be the same without you in it, but it is a much, much better place for having had you here.”

Books of condolence are open at the Scottish Parliament and online, while cards have been sent to Ms McKelvie’s constituency office in Hamilton and mourners were invited to make donations to charities Maggie’s Centre, Breast Cancer Now, LGBT Youth Scotland and MND Scotland.

Mr Brown told the Scottish Parliament last week: “She was a credit to her two sons, Lewis and Jack, and she took such pride in her grandchildren, Leo and Maeve. They will never be allowed to forget Christina. She was a credit to her community, to Easterhouse [where she grew up], to the Scottish Government, to this Parliament and to Scotland. She was very proud to be an MSP and a government minister.”

A message from the McKelvie, Brown and Curran family before the funeral noted: “Thank you again for all your very kind wishes, they are much appreciated by all the family at this sad time for all of us.”

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