Alex Salmond's last speech: 'Better days lie ahead'

Alex Salmond has made his last speech as first minister of Scotland in the Scottish Parliament.

Fifteen years on from the re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament in 1999, Mr Salmond spoke of a journey, saying: "Scotland now has the most energised, empowered and informed electorate of any country in Europe.

"It has been the privilege of my life to serve as first minister for these last seven and a half years.

"Any parting is tinged with some sorrow but in this case it's vastly outweighed by sense of optimism and confidence."

Mr Salmond's speech ended with a note of optimism and confidence for first minister-in-waiting Nicola Sturgeon: "More change and better days lie ahead for this Parliament and for Scotland."