Jenny Gilruth


Jennifer Madeleine Gilruth, commonly known as Jenny Gilruth, is a Scottish National Party politician who has been the Member of the Scottish Parliament for the constituency of Mid Fife and Glenrothes since 2016. Since February 2020, she has served as Minister for Europe and International Development in the Scottish Government.

Early life and career

Gilruth was first raised in Banff, Aberdeenshire, before her family moved to Ceres, Fife. Her father was born and raised in Newport-on-Tay. She was educated at Madras College, St Andrews and lives in Markinch. She graduated from the University of Glasgow with a degree in sociology and politics, and obtained her Professional Graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Strathclyde.
Before becoming an MSP, Gilruth was a Principal Teacher of Social Subjects at a Fife Secondary School, she was previously a National Qualifications Development Officer at Education Scotland, and prior to that taught Modern Studies at the Royal High School, in Edinburgh. Gilruth also marked exams for the Scottish Qualifications Authority and is a published author.

Political career

In April 2016, Gilruth was nominated as the SNP’s candidate for Mid Fife and Glenrothes in the Scottish Parliament election on 5 May 2016. She won the seat with 15,555 votes, an unprecedented 54.9% of the vote, with a majority of 8,236; more than double the votes cast for second-place candidate Kay Morrison of Scottish Labour. She succeeded Tricia Marwick, who had been the Presiding Officer in the 4th Scottish Parliament.
In February 2020, Gilruth joined the Scottish Government as Minister for Europe, Migration and International Development as part of the reshuffle following the resignation of Cabinet Secretary for Finance Derek Mackay.

Personal life

On 15 July 2017, it was announced Gilruth was in a relationship with Kezia Dugdale, who was, at that time, Leader of the Scottish Labour Party.