Nicola Sturgeon takes over from Alex Salmond as Scottish First Minister
Former lawyer takes top post unopposed and vows to continue fight for independence
Nationalist Nicola Sturgeon has been named Scotland's First Minister after a vote in the region's parliament, becoming the first woman to take on the role.
The former lawyer, aged 44, was appointed head of the Scottish National Party (SNP) last week, taking over from Alex Salmond, to whom she said she owed "a personal debt of gratitude".
Salmond's deputy for about 10 years, Sturgeon was the only candidate for his post.
Addressing the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh on Wednesday she made a "heart-felt" pledge to be "first minister for all of Scotland".
"Regardless of your politics or your point of view, my job is to serve you. And I promise that I will do so to the best of my ability," she said.
Describing herself as a "working-class girl from Ayrshire", in southwest Scotland, she said she hoped her appointment would send "a strong, positive message" to women and girls, making it clear that feminist issues would be high on her agenda, vowing to improve child-care and tackle pay inequalities.
"To become first minister is special and a big responsibility. To make history as the first woman first minister is even more so," she said.