First minister’s Christmas card to go up for auction

A photograph of Loch Fascully by photographer Jane Barlow has been chosen for the First Minister’s official Christmas card.

John Swinney has unveiled this year’s Christmas card photograph, which was taken at Bute House, his official residence in Edinburgh, in his North Perthshire constituency.

A framed copy of the photograph, signed by Mr Swinney, will be auctioned in the New Year to raise funds for the children’s charity, Children First.

Speaking at the launch event, which included children and young people helped by the charity, Mr Swinney said he was committed to ending child poverty in Scotland.

Mr Swinney said: “The Scottish Government is committed to making Scotland the best place in the world to grow. So, it was important to me that this year’s Christmas card reflected that pledge.”

He praised Children First for its “tremendous work protecting children from harm and providing emotional, practical and financial support to families”.

The First Minister thanked “very talented” Press Association news agency photographer Ms Barlow for her photo.

Ms. Barlow, who has two decades of experience as a photographer covering news and sports, Won awards for final images of the Queen at Balmoral just two days before her death in 2002,

Mr Swinney described Loch Fascully as “a place of great natural beauty which showcases the best of Scotland’s environment”.

Children First chief executive Mary Glasgow said she was “delighted and honoured” that the First Minister had chosen the charity to benefit from this year’s Christmas card.

Previous designs for the cards were created by singer Annie Lennox and photographer Harry Benson, known for photographing celebrities, particularly the Beatles.

The card will be sent to everyone on the Scottish leader’s list.