SNP mourns loss of legendary Scottish nationalist Kay Ullrich

The Scottish National Party (SNP) is in deep mourning following the demise on Monday (January 04) of one of its leading ideologues, Kay Ullrich.

Ullrich, who died aged 77, was a mentor to Scotland’s First Minister and SNP leader, Nicola Sturgeon.

After meeting a young Sturgeon in 1987, Ullrich backed the future leader of the Scottish independence movement as the SNP’s youngest-ever candidate in the Glasgow Shettleston constituency during the 1992 UK general election.

Ullrich reportedly told party activists: “This lady [Nicola Sturgeon] here will be the first female leader of the SNP one day”.

On hearing of Ullrich’s demise, Sturgeon took to Twitter to announce she is “devastated” by the news.

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 4, 2021 ">http://

I’m devastated by this news. Kay was a dear friend & one of the most influential figures in my life. A lifelong advocate of independence, she was @theSNP member for 55 years and a respected former MSP. I’ll miss her so much. My love to Grady, Shelley, John & her beloved grandkids https://t.co/ELIc0Ao29s

— Nicola Sturgeon (@NicolaSturgeon) January 4, 2021

Despite helping propel Sturgeon to the upper reaches of Scottish politics, Ullrich herself only achieved modest success within the SNP, of which she was a member for 55 years.  

Despite joining the SNP in 1965, Ullrich only started contesting electoral politics in the 1980s.

She finished in last place at the UK general elections of 1983 and 1987, during which she contested the Cunninghame South constituency.

However, Ullrich came a close second in the Monklands East by-election in 1994.

It was only after Scottish devolution and the establishment of the Scottish Parliament in Holyrood that Ullrich became an MSP for the West of Scotland region, a position she held until 2003.

Her lack of electoral success notwithstanding, Ullrich nevertheless had a huge standing within the SNP and the Scottish independence movement more broadly.

Senior SNP leader, and Scotland’s deputy First Minister, John Swinney, described Ullrich as “one of our vibrant heroes”.

— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) January 4, 2021 ">http://

Very poignant to be told by @NicolaSturgeon during @scotgov Cabinet of the death of Kay Ullrich, a stalwart of @theSNP and of Independence. Kay was one of our vibrant heroes - a great friend and ally in good times and in tough times. Love and condolences to her family.

— John Swinney (@JohnSwinney) January 4, 2021

Another SNP leader, Fiona Hyslop, who leads the economic portfolio in the Scottish government, described Ullrich’s demise as a “loss” for the “whole independence movement”.  

— Fiona Hyslop (@FionaHyslop) January 4, 2021 ">http://

Kay Ullrich was one of the most remarkable women I have ever met - passionate, feisty and sharp as a tack. I loved her company in those early years of the new Scottish Parliament, campaigning with her and her loss is one for the whole independence movement. So sad. https://t.co/mrjPFU6F5Q

— Fiona Hyslop (@FionaHyslop) January 4, 2021

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