‘A working-class girl from Ayrshire.’ Sturgeon grew up in Dreghorn, a village not far from the New Town of Irvine. (Nicola Sturgeon)

Sturgeon at Greenwood Academy (left), where two teachers encouraged (in different ways) her interest in politics, and (right) sporting an SNP rosette. She joined the party aged only 16. (Nicola Sturgeon)

Young Scottish Nationalists at the 1989 SNP conference in Dunoon. From left to right: Sturgeon, Lindsay Donaldson, Fiona Hyslop, Ricky Bell (Sturgeon’s then boyfriend), Shona Robison and Angus Robertson. (© Scotsman Publications)

Pat Kane’s controversial leaflet urging Glasgow University students to vote for Sturgeon as SRC president. She lost, but had earlier helped Kane become Rector. (David Torrance)

Sturgeon’s first television appearance, on Grampian TV’s Crossfire programme, in 1989. Watching was Peter Murrell, her future husband.

Sturgeon on an edition of BBC Scotland’s Left, Right and Centre in early 1992. Even as an undergraduate she was a confident political communicator.

Dreaming of Home Rule as the SNP’s candidate for Glasgow Shettleston at the 1992 general election. At 21, Sturgeon was the youngest Parliamentary candidate in the UK. (© Scotsman Publications)

Sturgeon and her grandmother following her graduation in law. Despite being heavily involved in politics, she narrowly missed getting a first-class degree. (Nicola Sturgeon)

On the march with SNP leader Alex Salmond. He spotted Sturgeon’s potential early on and made sure she rose through the party ranks during the 1990s. (© Scottish Political Archive, University of Stirling)

Meeting future voters as the SNP’s candidate for Glasgow Govan at the 1997 general election. Considered a winnable seat, Sturgeon ran an impressive campaign. (© Murdo Macleod)

Sturgeon following the Glasgow count in 1999, having failed to secure Govan. Instead she joined the first Scottish Parliament as a ‘list’ MSP. (© Scotsman Publications)

A flyer issued as part of Sturgeon’s short-lived leadership campaign in the summer of 2004. Standing aside for Alex Salmond turned out to be a shrewd move. (© Kay Ullrich)

Project Nicola: photographic evidence that after becoming the SNP’s deputy leader, Sturgeon was prepared to revamp her image. (© Scotsman Publications)

Celebrating with Alex Salmond following the SNP’s historic election win in 2007. Sturgeon would become Deputy First Minister and Health Secretary. (© Scotsman Publications)

Sturgeon’s marriage to SNP chief executive Peter Murrell in July 2010. Colleagues considered him an important influence on his wife, politically and personally. (© Scotsman Publications)

‘Yes Minister’. Sturgeon preparing to speak at Edinburgh’s Playfair Library as part of the long referendum campaign, during which she consolidated her position as Alex Salmond’s heir apparent. (© PA)

With her extended family shortly after being elected First Minister by the Scottish Parliament. Sturgeon had name-checked her niece Harriet (front centre) in her acceptance speech. (© David Torrance)