NICOLA Sturgeon joined the other Holyrood party leaders as presiding officer Ken Macintosh led a minute’s silence remembering those who have died during the coronavirus pandemic.
Today is the national day of reflection, marking one year from the first lockdown. As part of the anniversary a minute’s silence took place at midday.
Prominent buildings and landmarks like the Kelpies, Wallace Monument and Ness Bridge are also being illuminated to mark the date.
Macintosh stood with the deputy presiding officers and Scottish Parliament party leaders on Holyrood’s garden lobby steps.
He said: “This global pandemic has taken so much from so many. This Parliament stands shoulder to shoulder with all those who have suffered, all those grieving loved ones, and those whose lives have been changed forever.
"As parliamentarians we have heard directly from people who have been sorely affected, but we have also seen our own communities responding with care and understanding. This should give us all hope for the future as we seek to rebuild our country."
In Westminster, MPs also observed the minute’s silence.
Outside the Queen Elizabeth University Hospital in Glasgow, staff stood distanced to pay their tributes. They applauded after the minute was completed.
The latest National Records of Scotland figures indicate 9831 deaths were registered in Scotland where Covid-19 was mentioned on the death certificate, as of March 14.
Speaking to journalists outside her home this morning, First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said: “I’m going to leave politics to others today – my thoughts today, one year on from the country going into lockdown, are with the almost 10,000 families across the country who’ve lost a loved one and to everybody who’s made really painful sacrifices over the past year.
“My priority today is to continue to take the decisions that help get the country through the most difficult times.”
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