Jim Wallace paid tribute to his fellow MSPs

The Lib Dem MSP for Orkney and former deputy first minister paid tribute to fellow parliamentarians, as well as his constituents in the Northern Isles.

Mr Wallace used his speech to promote Scotland's place in the Union, but warned against the emergence of a dependency culture.

The former MP's parents attended the Scottish Parliament for the event.

Mr Wallace, who resigned as Scottish Lib Dem leader on a high following a successful 2005 general election for his party on both sides of the border, recalled attending his big first political outing - on the eve of the 1966 general election.

"My father took me to my first ever political meeting," he told MSPs.

"I recall him saying that he'd take me to the Liberal candidate's eve of poll meeting, because it would be safe as there wouldn't be many people there."

Annan-born Mr Wallace, who became MP for Orkney and Shetland in 1983, said it was perhaps down to his Scottish Borders roots that he was "instinctively repelled by the idea of erecting new barriers with our neighbours".

"That is in addition to the strong arguments against an independence case based on extravagant promises, whose figures don't add up and might only be met," he added.

Jim Wallace became an MP in 1983

Mr Wallace stressed that Scots should remain proud of their roots and claimed growing support for more powers at Holyrood.

He added: "By all means let's make a case for the Union on a stronger economy, on the grounds of security or a greater influence in foreign policy.

"Let us not do it by pandering to and fostering a dependency culture."

Mr Wallace, who has stood in for several first ministers on a number of occasions, concluded: "It has certainly been my experience over 24 years that, with rare exceptions, politicians are motivated by a strong sense of public service, which they pursue according to their own sincerely-held beliefs."