Margo MacDonald remembered at Holyrood

Margo MacDonald’s legacy within Scottish politics has been commemorated at the Scottish Parliament as a painting of the late politician was unveiled. The painting was unveiled by Deputy Presiding Officer, Christine Grahame MSP (centre). The portrait, painted by the popular Scottish artist Gerard Burns (right), was gifted to the Scottish Parliament by Margo MacDonald’s husband, Jim Sillars (left). Burns’ work pays tribute to Margo MacDonald’s forty-year commitment to politics during which she was a vociferous campaigner. 06 September 2016. Pic - Andrew Cowan/Scottish Parliament
The painting was unveiled by Deputy Presiding Officer, Christine Grahame MSP (centre).The portrait, painted by the popular Scottish artist Gerard Burns (right), was gifted to the Scottish Parliament by Margo MacDonald’s husband, Jim Sillars (left). 

A portrait was unveiled at Holyrood earlier by the late Margo MacDonald’s husband, Jim Sillars, who gifted the painting to the parliament.

Jim Sillars said: “In many ways Margo was a unique person and politician, and an inspiration to those who sought to advance the cause of Scotland. Our family is pleased that her portrait will be hung in the Parliament to whose life and development she contributed with a talent that was exceptional.”

Margo,  who represented Lothians when she died in April 2014, had been a politician for over forty years.

Christine Grahame MSP the Deputy Presiding Officer unveiled the painting which can be viewed by the public during a Scottish Parliament art tour. The next tour takes place on 24 September 2016 at 3.30pm.

Christine Grahame said: “Having known Margo for many years, I am delighted that her dedication to the Parliament is being honoured with this portrait. Her sheer passion for politics and for the causes she championed will always be remembered, as will her dynamic, colourful and compassionate nature.

“I count myself lucky to have known someone like Margo and to have worked so closely with her. This portrait is a way of showing future Members and visitors to the Parliament just what she meant to us all.”

The painting was created by Gerard Burns who talked of the honour he felt when Jim Sillars asked him to paint the fiery campaigner. Burns said: “I was thrilled when Jim approached me to paint Margo. I felt very honoured. I had always been a real fan. As a politician, Margo always struck me as having great clarity of judgement and real integrity. No-one ever put words into Margo’s mouth and she was her own person.

“It has been an absolute pleasure to work with the Sillars family on Margo’s portrait and it has been a real labour of love. My only hope is that the Sillars are thrilled by it and I have managed to do her justice.”

Photos Andrew Cowan for The Scottish Parliament