Angus MSP Andrew Welsh to stand down in 2011
Veteran nationalist Andrew Welsh will stand down from Holyrood at the Scottish elections next year, it has been announced.
The 66-year-old has been MSP for Angus since devolution in 1999, and active in local and national politics for almost 40 years.
Mr Welsh was elected to Westminster as part of the group of 11 nationalist MPs in 1974.
He has also been a Stirling district councillor and provost of Angus.
The MSP said: "I thank the people of Angus and the SNP workers who have allowed me to represent them and build a strong foundation for the future of our communities."
Mr Welsh, who joined the SNP in 1960, said the economic well-being and success of Angus had always been at the forefront of his work.
After being ousted as an MP in 1979, Mr Welsh was re-elected to the Westminster parliament in 1987.
He represented South Angus, Angus East and finally Angus between 1997 and 2001.
At Holyrood he served on the Audit Committee and was appointed convener of the Finance Committee in this session.
Outside of politics, Mr Welsh taught history and modern studies and was a college lecturer in business studies and public administration.
On his Scottish Parliament profile, Mr Welsh describes Angus as a "gem in Scotland".
"The people of Angus are especially tremendous. If anyone is going on holiday, I recommend that they go there. There is no place better in Scotland," he adds.