NEWLY appointed Cabinet ministers and departing members of Nicola Sturgeon’s top team gave their reactions following the First Minister’s post election reshuffle.

Former SNP deputy leader Angus Robertson, who returned to frontline politics after being elected as MSP for Edinburgh Central on May 6, is among the new faces in the Scottish Government.

Robertson (below) is taking on the key role of Constitution Secretary, succeeding Michael Russell, who stood down from Holyrood ahead of the election. He will also be responsible for culture and external relations.

The National:

“Hugely honoured to become the new Scottish Government Cabinet Secretary for the Constitution, External Affairs and Culture. Look forward to working with all partners at home and internationally,” Robertson wrote on Twitter yesterday.

Humza Yousaf moves from justice to health succeeding Jean Freeman who also stood down before the election.

READ MORE: First Minister unveils her top team to lead Scotland to independence

Yousaf tweeted: “Humbled, and a little daunted, by task ahead. I will put political differences aside and work constructively with colleagues across the chamber and externally to ensure we put pandemic response and recovery at the heart of our health & social care service. Thank you for kind wishes.”

Shirley-Anne Somerville moves from social security to the education brief to succeed John Swinney who was appointed to a new role of Cabinet Secretary for Covid Recovery.

Somerville was unable to attend Bute House as she was self-isolating and instead heard about her new role in a Zoom meeting with the First Minister.

She tweeted: “Gutted to be missing out on the Cabinet photo today but delighted to be taking over as Cab Sec for Education. I’ll be getting straight to work this afternoon from home.”

The reshuffle also saw two former Cabinet ministers return with Shona Robison appointed Social Justice Secretary and Keith Brown to justice. Robison tweeted: “A huge honour to be asked to take on social justice, housing and local government in the... cabinet, my approach will be to put aside political differences and work constructively with colleagues across the Scottish Parliament and beyond. Thanks for the many kind wishes.”

Outgoing ministers Fiona Hyslop and Fergus Ewing, both of whom had served in government roles since 2007, appeared philosophical.

Hyslop wrote: “This looks like a good strong Cabinet to take Scotland forward and I wish them every success. After 14 years in Government I’m happy, if not a bit relieved, to move out and make way and importantly to enjoy more of life! It’s been an enormous privilege to serve Scotland for so long.”

READ MORE: Scottish Cabinet reshuffle: Nicola Sturgeon unveils new team

In his letter to the FM, Ewing said: “It has been a privilege to serve as a Minister in the Scottish Government since 2007 and especially as Cabinet Secretary in your Government for the past five years.

"For that I express my sincere thanks. In our discussion yesterday, you indicated that you will form a slimmed down cabinet. Obviously, you have had to make some tough decisions and we agreed that this meant I should now step out of Government.”

He added: "Over the past five years, I have striven to improve and support  life and work in the rural economy -  in farming, fishing, forestry, aquaculture and field sports, and also whilst working with HIE and latterly SOSE to promote economic development. 

"I believe that many good things and successes have been secured and delivered over these years,  and that we have won the trust and confidence of many of the people who play major leadership roles in each of the main sectors of the rural economy. 

"My firm view is Scotland succeeds when the public and private sector work closely as a team including in forming policy as well as delivery and implementation.

"Over the past year as your Minister for Tourism I have tried to help both people and businesses survive the greatest crisis they have encountered, and have been struck by the incredible spirit and fortitude of so many, despite their suffering hugely in financial and personal terms.

"In all of my work first as Minister and then Cabinet Secretary over these 14 years, I have sought to provide leadership and have received excellent support from the overwhelming majority of public servants, for which I am truly grateful."

Ewing also congratulated the appointees and wrote on Twitter: "My warm congrats to the new cabinet and in particular Mairi Gougeon my successor.  

"It’s been hectic 14 years as minister. I hope I’ve made things better for many in rural scotland and I’m very grateful for the excellent support from the overwhelming majority of public servants."