Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes and husband announce arrival of baby girl
Badenoch MSP Kate Forbes has given birth to a baby girl.
The Cabinet Minister and her husband Ali MacLennan have just announced the arrival of their daughter.
She was safely delivered at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness last Thursday weighing 7 pounds 13 ounces.
Both mum and baby are now back home and doing well.
The couple married last summer in Dingwall, following Ms Forbes’ re-election for a second term as MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch.
She said: “We are delighted to welcome little Naomi into the world.
"It is a wonderful blessing to have a happy, healthy baby in our arms.
“Our family would like to record our most sincere thanks to the midwifery and nursing team at Raigmore for all their help.
"They were with us every step of the way, regularly going beyond the call of duty in their care and compassion for both me and Naomi.
“Pregnancy, labour and the early days with a newborn aren't easy, as every new parent knows.
"Every mother’s experience is unique. Access to such excellent NHS healthcare in the community and at the hospital has made all the difference to us.
“It’s been hard not to think about pregnant or new mothers in other parts of the world right now, particularly those escaping war zones like Ukraine or facing horrendous distress in Afghanistan.
"My prayer is that little girls around the world, like Naomi, grow up in a world of greater peace and security.”
Naomi is the couple's first child together.
Ms Forbes, who is Cabinet Secretary for Finance and the Economy, will now take a period of maternity leave, and will return at some point in 2023.
She is the first senior Minister to give birth whilst a member of the Scottish Government cabinet.
Her constituency office team will continue to assist constituents as usual, and can be contacted at kate.forbes.msp@parliament.scot or on 01349 863 888.
