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Mourners say farewell at MSP Christina McKelvie's funeral

PA Media Keith Brown and two other men carry the coffin on their shoulders. It is draped with a Saltire.PA Media
Ms McKelvie's partner Keith Brown (centre) was among those carrying her coffin which was draped with a Saltire

Mourners have gathered in Glasgow for the funeral of Scottish government minister Christina McKelvie.

The SNP MSP died in March, aged 57, after a long illness.

She stood back from her duties as drugs and alcohol minister last year after announcing she had secondary breast cancer.

Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon, Deputy First Minister Kate Forbes and Culture Secretary Angus Robertson were among those at the service at Daldowie Crematorium.

PA Media A man holds the order of service for the funeral of Christina McKelvie.PA Media
Family and close friends are attending the service at the crematorium
PA Media A woman with light-coloured hair and dark sunglasses looks ahead while walking outdoors. She is wearing a bright pink and purple shirt with a flamingo pattern. People's arms can be seen either side of her and there are cars in the background. PA Media
Nicola Sturgeon was among the mourners wearing bright-coloured clothing at the service

A statement from McKelvie's family said they had been "overwhelmed by those who have been in touch with us about Christina's passing".

Mourners were encouraged to wear bright colours.

SNP MSP Stuart McMillan, Holyrood's parliamentary piper, joined the funeral procession to the service.

Friends, family and several opposition MSPs, including Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar, attended the funeral in the crematorium's east chapel.

The service was relayed outside both chapels by speakers.

Piper in traditional outfit, including kilt, walks ahead of the hearse with a funeral director who is wearing a long black coat and a black top hot with a veil at the back.
SNP MSP Stuart McMillan played bagpipes ahead of the hearse carrying Christina McKelvie's coffin
PA Media Mourners watch as the hearse carrying Scottish Government minister Christina McKelvie arrives at Daldowie crematorium in GlasgowPA Media

McKelvie's partner and SNP depute leader Keith Brown told the service: "There are not many politicians here, I would say no politicians in here, that ever felt loved by the electorate. Christina did. They loved her."

He added: "That's just incredible, and I think, probably unique.

"I often think that producers of dictionaries could save themselves ink and time if under human rights defender or equality campaigner or social justice campaigner, instead of a lengthy definition, they could just put 'Christina McKelvie'."

There were emotional scenes in the Scottish Parliament last month when news of McKelvie's death was announced.

A period of silence was held in the chamber and the parliament's flags were flown at half mast.

Getty Images Christina McKelvie at the bottom of the main stairwell in the Scottish Parliament. She is smiling to camera, wearing a coral coloured jacket and a black blouse with a red and white flower motif on her right shoulder. Her hair is long and fair.Getty Images
Christina McKelvie died in March, aged 57, after a long illness

First Minister John Swinney led tributes to a "kind, loyal and fun-loving colleague".

"Members across this parliament will feel that loss, but my party is aching at the news today," he said.

"Christina was a parliamentarian of the highest motivation and the finest nature. I was proud that she was a member of my government, giving her all to make life better for others, which was always her motivation."

Keith Brown described her as a beloved mother-of-two, partner and grandmother who "lit up every room she was in with her positivity and bright smile".

McKelvie had been MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse since May 2011, having initially been elected on the Central Scotland list in 2007.

She recovered from breast cancer in 2021 but was diagnosed with secondary breast cancer in June 2024.

Originally from Easterhouse in Glasgow, she was a social worker in the city before moving into politics. She was also a long-standing member of the SNP and a trade unionist with Unison.