Nicola Sturgeon: What is the ex-First Minister of Scotland doing today?

Nicola Sturgeon’s resignation in March this year came as a shock to her supporters, especially since it happened in the middle of the infamous financial probe into the Scottish National Party’s (SNP) use of funds donated for independence campaigning.

Several SNP executives have been arrested in relation to the investigation, amongst them was Peter Murrell, Nicola Sturgeon’s husband. The former First Minister’s media appearances at the time sparked speculations about the state of her marriage.

Although some believe that Nicola Sturgeon knew exactly what was coming and wanted to avoid getting further involved in the scandal surrounding SNP, the politician herself explained her resignation by the toll her top job took on her wellbeing and stated her desire to dedicate more time to her loved ones.

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Nicola Sturgeon is focusing on her constituency

Despite quitting as the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon remained an MSP for Glasgow Southside.

Speaking to Glasgow Times, the politician admitted that she was so used to round-the-clock pressure during her time in Holyrood that it took her some time to adapt to a different pace in decision-making and to reclaim her personal life.

After eight years as Scotland’s longest-serving First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon is now focusing on her constituency and its needs.

She revealed:

Of course, over the past few weeks, I have also enjoyed having slightly more time for a personal life.

Sturgeon admitted that the ‘pressures and time demands’ that came with her previous role made little space for family and friends and she ‘missed out on many special events and celebrations’.

She added:

I am trying now to make up for that, and it has been a joy to catch up properly with some of those closest to me.

Nicola Sturgeon also started writing a special column for the Glasgow Times. It is published every second Wednesday.

Read more:Nicola Sturgeon: This is really why she resigned as Scotland's First Minister

Nicola Sturgeon reveals her ‘new-found love’

The former First Minister shared her plans to continue spending more time with her loved ones but she also opened up about her ‘new-found love of hillwalking’.

Scotland is famous for its beautiful landscape and offers some of the most breathtaking routes in the world.

Nicola Sturgeon has earlier shared her favourite walk - Dunure Beach in Ayr, on the Firth of Clyde outside Glasgow.

She said:

While I like to walk in any weather, my favourite is when it is cold but dry – it makes coming home to a warm cup of tea all the more enjoyable.

Asked about the controversial probe into the SNP’s finances, Nicola Sturgeon called it ‘unexpected and unwelcome’ developments and admitted they ‘have made this period even more challenging’.

Earlier this spring, leaked footage of the former First Minister from an SNP meeting in March 2021 showed her warning SNP officials against any speculation about the party finances and insisting they ‘have never been stronger’.

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Sources used:

- Glasgow Times: 'Nicola Sturgeon on her 'new-found love' and life after First Minister'

- Herald Scotland: 'Nicola Sturgeon, Ian Rankin and Lorraine Kelly share their favourite New Year walks'