Tributes have been paid in the Scottish Parliament and culture sector following the death of Christina McKelvie, the former culture minister and MSP for Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse.
McKelvie was made minister for culture, Europe and international development by former first minister Humza Yousaf in 2023. She was appointed minister for drugs and alcohol policy in 2024 and served in this position until her death.
She was previously the minister for equalities and older people between 2018 and 2023.
McKelvie announced last August that she was stepping back from government to undergo treatment for secondary breast cancer. She died on 27 March at the age of 57.
Flags at the Scottish Parliament were flown at half-mast last week in tribute.
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First minister John Swinney said he was “devastated” to learn of McKelvie’s death and described her as “one of the kindest and most generous people I have ever met in my life”.
He said she had been “a fierce champion for equality, social justice, for Scottish independence and for a better world”.
Swinney added: “The Scottish National Party has lost one of its finest, and I have lost an outstanding minister in my government. I know her loss will be felt right across the Parliament and among the countless constituents she supported over the years. Christina was such a big-hearted woman, with compassion and social justice at her core. Her political allies and opponents would agree - she truly was a force of nature.”
Tributes have also been paid in the culture sector, where McKelvie is remembered for her role in accepting the recommendations of the Empire, Slavery & Scotland's Museums steering group, including the establishment a new museum exploring the nation's role in transatlantic slavery and colonialism.
In a statement, Museums Galleries Scotland (MGS) said: “We’re saddened to learn of the death of Christina McKelvie MSP, who served as culture minister for the Scottish Government from 2023 to 2024.
“Christina worked closely with MGS in this role, supporting museums and advocating for a fairer, more inclusive museum sector. A conscientious follower of the Empire, Slavery & Scotland's Museums project, she oversaw the Scottish Government’s acceptance of the steering group’s recommendations in January 2024.”
MGS’s chief executive Lucy Casot added: “Christina’s role in accepting the Empire, Slavery & Scotland's Museums project recommendations was a milestone for the museum sector. This was one of many highlights from her time as culture minister, with the Scottish Government celebrating the success of Scotland’s Year of Stories and awarding additional funding to build the resilience of Scotland's museums and galleries.
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“On behalf of everyone at MGS, I extend my sympathies to Christina's family and loved ones at this time.”
Curator Zandra Yeaman, who is involved in the project to create a Scottish Museum of Empire, Slavery, Colonialism and Migration, said McKelvie had strongly supported this work as both equalities and culture minister.
Writing on LinkedIn, Yeaman said: “So sad about the passing of Christina McKelvie. We had many conversations over the years about Scotland's Black history and during her time as equalities minister, I introduced her to museum colleagues visiting from the National African American Museum of History and Culture [...]
“Christina continued to support this work in her post as culture minister. Her voice and support will be missed in the Scottish Parliament. Her legacy in this area will not be forgotten. My condolences to Christina's family.”
McKelvie was an MSP from 3 May 2007 to 27 March 2025. She represented the Central Scotland region from 2007 to 2011, and the Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse constituency from 2011 to 2025.
A book of condolence has been opened at the Scottish Parliament.
