From ice discos to Balmoral... Nicola has many stories to share

Former First Minister chats to podcaster Sean as she enjoys homecoming at Tidelines Book Festival

- STEWART MCCONNELL

A huge homecoming for former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon saw her take centre stage in front of a full house at Fullarton Connexions as the headliner for Irvine's Tidelines Book Festival - just weeks after launching the Gryffe Valley Book Festival in Renfrewshire.

The Dreghorn-born politician - who spent nine years in the top job at the Scottish Government - returned to her roots talking about her upbringing to promote her new memoir, Frankly, in an interview with Sean McDonald from the Blethered Podcast.

A range of subjects were covered, including multiple visits to Frosties Ice Disco in Irvine, a bizarre chat with former Prime Minister Liz Truss, being driven by the late Queen around the Balmoral Estate, a challenging relationship with her late predecessor Alex Salmond and a message from an iconic lead singer.

She said she had an amazing and “really ordinary” childhood, brilliant parents and a close-knit family. Visits to her grandparents’ house in Dunure are especially memorable.

"I remember going to Frosties, which was the disco in the Magnum on a Saturday night. Me and my pals used to go and we just skated round and round to the likes of Wham and Duran Duran. It was great fun," she said.

When she became First Minister, she was invited onto Desert Island Discs with Kirsty Young on BBC Radio 4.