Winnie Ewing was the oldest MSP at the time of the ceremony

The Scottish National Party's Winnie Ewing opened the first meeting in 1999.

The desk she sat behind became surplus to requirements when the parliament moved from The Mound to its new home.

The SNP president asked if she could have the piece of furniture and it now takes pride of place in the drawing room of her Moray home.

Presiding Officer George Reid said he agreed that it was an appropriate gesture to acknowledge Dr Ewing's place in history.

Presiding officer

She was asked to chair the first meeting of the new parliament because she was the oldest MSP.

Her opening words were: "The Scottish Parliament, adjourned on the 25th day of March 1707, is hereby reconvened."

Dr Ewing took charge until the first presiding officer was appointed.

After receiving the desk, she said: "It's nice to be thought of in this way and the desk does hold a lot of sentimental memories for me. It's very significant.

The parliament sat at The Mound for five years

"I had fought for a Scottish Parliament for a long time so being allowed to open it was a great honour, although I was extremely lucky.

"I was only the oldest MSP by three months."

She will now sit behind the desk to write her second autobiography, focusing on her early career as a criminal lawyer.

The other desks and chairs used during the parliament's first five years have also been found new homes.

Some have been donated to Scottish museums to be put on display.