Nicola Sturgeon is living in a £320,000 flat in Edinburgh, owned by her best friend, crime writer Val McDiarmid, following her separation from husband Peter Murrell. Sturgeon, spotted leaving the property, maintains her primary residence in Glasgow and stays in Edinburgh for her work. She and McDiarmid, friends since bonding over their love of literature, frequently discuss books over dinner. Amidst speculation about her marriage, Sturgeon announced its end on social media. She is currently writing her memoirs, expected to earn her up to £1 million, with McDiarmid providing advice on the writing process.
Nicola Sturgeon lives in a luxury £320,000 flat owned by crime writer and best friend Val McDiarmid.
The former Prime Minister was seen leaving her property in Edinburgh’s upmarket Newtown following the breakdown of her relationship with husband Peter Murrell.
Ms Sturgeon was seen leaving her flat by startled neighbors earlier this month.
On January 4th, she was seen wearing a green jacket and clutching an iPhone.
The day before, Ms Sturgeon had posted a photo of Edinburgh Castle on her Instagram Story with the caption: “One day Edinburgh, when you really melted the hearts of Glasgow.”
It is understood Ms Sturgeon lives at home in Glasgow and, like many other MSPs, sometimes stays overnight in Edinburgh.
The property, in the heart of Edinburgh’s World Heritage Site, was bought by the crime writer and his wife in 2023 for £320,000.
Ms Sturgeon and Mr McDiarmid have had a long friendship, with the bookish politician often praising the former journalist’s work.
Former First Minister Nicola Sturgeon leaves a house believed to belong to crime writer Val McDiarmid in Newtown, Edinburgh, Scotland
Ms Sturgeon and Ms McDiarmid are thought to have bonded over their love of reading and become close friends.
The £320,000 luxury flat is thought to be owned by crime writer and her best friend Val McDiarmid
Nicola Sturgeon and Val McDiarmid talk during an ‘In The Company of Books’ event at Gathering Hall in Edinburgh, Scotland
Ms McDiarmid is best known for her multi-million-selling series of mystery novels set in Scotland and has previously appeared on stage with her at book festivals.
Speaking ahead of an event in Edinburgh in December, which also included Alan Cumming, McDiarmid said their friendship started “really over a love of books”.
Ms Sturgeon told The Scotsman: “We get together for dinner, drink a good amount of red wine, and talk a lot about books.”
And Ms McDiarmid, a staunch SNP supporter, will soon be joining her best friend on stage at the Glasgow International Comedy Festival’s Book and Banter show.
In a statement promoting the event, they said, “Our love of books is what first drew us together and remains the pillar of that friendship.”
“We ask our guests questions about the books that shaped them and why they love reading. Revelations abound as we explore the love and laughter between the covers.”
Speculation about Ms Sturgeon’s future with her husband has continued for some time.
In April last year, during the SNP’s crisis, Ms Sturgeon was seen without her wedding ring at a glitzy awards ceremony.
Ms Sturgeon told The Scotsman: “When we get together for dinner and a good glass of red wine, we tend to talk a lot about books.”
Nicola Sturgeon has announced the end of her marriage to former SNP chief executive Peter Murrell. Photo: Couple at St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, 2022
The former Scottish First Minister revealed the news through a post on her Instagram account.
Ms Sturgeon and Ms Murrell began dating in 2003 and married in 2010 in a civil ceremony in Glasgow’s west end.
One of Ms. McDiarmid’s bestselling works, which tells the story of the author’s manuscript, which is believed to be the blueprint for a real crime.
At an event in London, just 24 hours after Humza Yousaf abandoned the Bute House agreement, she posed for a photo alongside McDiarmid.
Ms Sturgeon is currently writing her memoirs and experts estimate she could earn up to £1 million from her contract with Pan Macmillan.
And Ms McDiarmid has given advice to the former Prime Minister on writing the book.
Ms Sturgeon previously said: “I was sitting at my computer, struggling to get anything written, and I texted Val and said, ‘Is this going to happen to you? Do you have writer’s block? ?’” he said.
“I was hoping for some very sage, writerly advice. What I got back, and this is a direct quote, was, ‘Stop fooling around on WhatsApp and just keep going.’ did. That has been my belief ever since. ”
The politician, who earns £72,196 a year, set up Nicola Sturgeon Ltd to handle his external income and recently received £25,000 plus fringe benefits from ITV for appearing as a pundit on the ITV channel’s election night show. Received tax payment.
The stylish Edinburgh flat where Ms Sturgeon was seen leaving is jointly owned by Ms McDiarmid and his wife.
Professor Jo Sharp, who was appointed Royal Geographer of Scotland in 2022, describes herself as a “feminist political geographer” with research interests including “postcolonialism, health and critical geopolitics”. Explaining.
The couple, pictured in 2022, were at the top of the SNP and Scottish politics for many years until Ms Sturgeon stepped down as first minister and leader of the party in March 2023.
In April 2023, police spent two days searching Sturgeon and Murrell’s Glasgow home.
Police were seen searching Ms Sturgeon and Ms Murrell’s gardens during the two-day search.
Professor Sharp, who works at the University of St Andrews, moved in with Ms McDiarmid in May 2014 and they married in 2016.
Among the guests at the ceremony were Ms Sturgeon and Mr Murrell, with the then First Minister describing it as a “great day”.
Ms Sturgeon said on social media: “Thank you to you and @ProfJoSharp for letting me share.” Congratulations again to both of you. ”
Professor Sharp and Ms McDiarmid have previously described their relationship as “incredibly collaborative”.
In a 2022 interview with the Guardian, Ms McDiarmid said the celebrations “held from midday until 11pm, with the London contingent stumbling out of the restaurant at the end of the night to get their sleeping cars.” he said. [train] house. ‘
Professor Sharp said: “I had fun all day.” I don’t think I could stop grinning.
