In pictures: Plaque honouring youngest suffragette Bessie Watson unveiled by Nicola Sturgeon

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon was joined by youngsters from the 6VT Edinburgh Youth Cafe to launch the book 'Best For Bessie'

The youngest suffragette, bagpiping Bessie Watson, has been commemorated by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon.

Bessie joined the suffragette movement aged just nine, playing the bagpipes across the country on marches campaigning for equality and the right for women to vote.

On Thursday, a plaque was installed in her honour outside a youth centre in Edinburgh where she was born.

Unveiling the “poignant” memorial in the Vennel, opposite Edinburgh Castle, Ms Sturgeon said: “Bessie Watson was undoubtedly a very impressive and a very, very inspirational young woman. She took part in suffragette marches and pageants from the age of nine, which is quite incredible.

“To every women and girl here today and across the world today – we owe so much to people like Bessie Watson, because without their campaigning and the sacrifices they made, I certainly wouldn’t be standing here as First Minister and we wouldn’t have all the opportunities that we take for granted.”

The First Minister was joined on her walk down the Vennel’s steps by a female bagpipe player, while a large crowd of youth centre members and volunteers gathered to watch the plaque – covered by a Votes for Women banner – being revealed.

Recalling how the young campaigner used to play the bagpipes outside the former Calton jail, which is now home to the Scottish Government headquarters, an “emotional” Ms Sturgeon added: “I go into work in the morning to the place where Bessie would have played and knowing that I go in there now as the first woman to be First Minister of Scotland.

“That wouldn’t have been possible without the suffragettes who sacrificed so much, and without the passion, efforts and commitment of Bessie Watson – who was Scotland’s youngest suffragette.

“She demonstrates that young people – and young women in particular – can make their voices heard and can make a difference.

“That’s why it is so fitting and so poignant that her birthplace is now the location of the city youth cafe, where this generation of young people are themselves learning to make their voices heard and working hard to make a difference in the world.”