SNP leadership race: Who will replace Nicola Sturgeon as Scotland's first minister?

Three candidates are in the race to replace Nicola Sturgeon as the next Scottish National Party (SNP) leader and first minister of Scotland.

Kate Forbes, Ash Regan and Humza Yousaf all received enough support to make it though to the final stage of leadership contest.

SNP members are able to vote from 13 March for who they want to become Scotland's next leader, with voting closing at midday on 27 March.

The winner will be announced later that day.

But what do we know about the candidates and the contest so far?

Kate Forbes

Kate Forbes has been Scotland's finance secretary since 2020.

At 32-years-old, she is the youngest candidate and has been seen by many as a rising star in Scottish politics and a future leadership contender for some time.

However, Ms Forbes has faced criticism from within her own party after saying she would not have voted in favour of gay marriage had she been in power in 2014, although she has promised she wouldn't change any existing rights in Scotland if elected in the future.

Humza Yousaf

Humza Yousaf is Scotland's health secretary and is the first Muslim and non-white cabinet minister to have served in the Scottish Government.

He is also the most experienced of the three candidates, having held a number of senior posts in government.

However, he has faced criticism over his running of the NHS in Scotland, which is facing many problems including long waiting lists.

At the launch of his campaign, the 37-year-old said he had the experience to take on the job of first minister, but would have a "a different approach" to Nicola Sturgeon.

Ash Regan

Ash Regan has been MSP for Edinburgh Eastern since 2016 and is the only candidate to not currently hold a Cabinet role, although she has previously been minister for community safety.

She has indicated support for the North Sea oil and gas industry.

What are their views on Scottish independence?

All three candidates say Scottish independence can be achievable within five years

The candidates took part in three TV debates.

In their final debate the three candidates all said they believed Scottish independence was possible within five years.

As the Scottish National Party supports independence these views are not surprising, but they do have some different ideas on how to reach independence.

Yousaf told the Debate Night Special that he believed he could build a majority support for independence. He said it was time to talk about "process" and instead "inspire people with a vision for independence".

Forbes also said there should be a focus on the issues that people care about. She says she believes it could come sooner than five years. "If you make the case and see the dial shift in support, there will be a route forward."

Regan differed to the other two candidates with her plan for "voter empowerment mechanism". This would essentially mean every election would also have a question about independence using the ballot box to "allow the Scottish people to say when they are ready to be independent".

Why is there a leadership race?

On 15 February, First Minister of Scotland Nicola Sturgeon announced that she is resigning - which means she is stepping down from her job.

Ms Sturgeon has been leader of the Scottish National Party (SNP) and head of the Scottish government for more than eight years - making her the longest serving, and the first female, first minister.

Ms Sturgeon announced her decision to resign at a press conference at Bute House in Edinburgh, where she said that being first minister was the "very best job in the world".

She added that she will stay in charge until her political party, the Scottish National Party, have chosen their new leader and Scotland's next first minister.

The three candidates will now hit the campaign trail to persuade members they can lead the party - and the country as first minister.

The vote for SNP members opened on 13 March, closing in two weeks later on 27 March, with the winner announced shortly after.