The Scottish Parliament”s presiding officer came face to face with an illustrious face from his family”s past as he visited The Black Watch Museum in Perth”s Balhousie Castle.
Brigadier Sir Bernard Fergusson was the uncle of Alex Fergusson MSP and a former commander of the world famous battalion, retiring in 1958.
He said, “It was humbling to see the way he was portrayed in the museum.”
Mr Fergusson is currently touring the country in a bid to encourage greater public engagement with the parliament.
The visit to Perth included a chat with Black Watch Regimental Association members, the announcement of a major voluntary sector conference in October at Perth Concert Hall and a civic reception with local dignitaries.
Mr Fergusson explained he has undertaken summer tours of the country to promote the work of the parliament and its potential for Scottish people since being elected Presiding Officer.
He said, “I visit a wide range of organisations and people, from boardrooms of large companies to inner city projects and everything in between.
“The idea is to get a sense of what Scotland thinks about the parliament and how comfortable people are about engaging with the issues.
“I’ve been encouraged that people are aware of the parliament to a huge degree, but it is not necessarily the first place they think of when they have an issue that needs addressed.
“People should know it is there for them there are very few other parliaments that you can just walk into like you can here and where you can raise private bills.
“The Parliament is increasingly being looked at as a model for other countries.”
The third presiding officer since the parliament was formed, Mr Fergusson will step down at the next election but seek re-election as an MSP in the new Galloway and West Dumfriesshire seat.