SITTING now in the Scottish Parliament - which was 20 years old last week - it is difficult to believe there was a time when it didn’t exist.

I think the fact that the majority of people now just take it as a given is a sign of its success.

In contrast, I remember the buzz and excitement of the 1999 election and first sitting as a young child - already out delivering leaflets for my dad - and, of course, the blue helium balloons!

The highlight of the campaign though was going on a tour in Hector Monro’s soft top vintage Bentley (the thought of which for an MP now, as I said in my maiden speech, would be unthinkable!).

I also vividly remember the opening ceremony and everyone singing Burns’ ‘A Man’s A Man’ But - more important than anything else that was happening that day - I was just obsessed with the fact that Sean Connery was there!

I suppose like any nine-year-old, James Bond was always going to be far more memorable than my dad becoming an MSP.

It has been a huge privilege to follow him and to be elected to represent my home constituency of Dumfriesshire, as only its second constituency MSP.

In everything I do I never forget the trust local people have put in me - and no matter how tough the job feels at times I always remember I asked to do it!

In reality, being constituency MSP is mostly an enjoyable experience and especially satisfying when assisting a constituent leads to a positive outcome.

It is also great to support and be part of so many unique and historic community events.

Looking to the next election, what is really scary and also a big moment for Holyrood, is that we will likely see the first MSP, born after 1999, elected.

That means we will be represented by a generation who have never known a time when the Scottish Parliament did not exist.