Humza Yousaf to be sworn-in as Nicola Sturgeon's successor at Court of Session in Edinburgh

Humza Yousaf is set to be sworn-in as Scotland’s First Minister later on Wednesday.

A short ceremony, due to be held at the Court of Session in Edinburgh, will see the new SNP leader take the oath of office, known as the “official declaration”.

Yousaf will become the Keeper of the Scottish Seal and pledge his allegiance to the King.

He is then expected to continue forming his government, before facing opposition leaders for the first time on Thursday at First Minister’s Questions.

The 37-year-old was elected First Minister by MSPs on Tuesday after being chosen by SNP members to replace Nicola Sturgeon as leader.

Speaking after the Holyrood vote, he said: “This parliament has just given me the opportunity to help steer this nation’s course as we make the next stage of that journey together.

“Doing that will be the honour and the privilege of my life. I will strive every single minute of every day to be worthy of it.”

Yousaf beat off competition from Kate Forbes and Ash Regan to be named SNP leader, before winning a parliamentary vote to be elected FM, despite challenges from opposition leaders Douglas Ross, Anas Sarwar and Alex Cole-Hamilton.

His victory also ensured the Scottish Greens would keep supporting the SNP in government – after they threatened to withdraw if Forbes or Regan won.

In a speech after his victory was announced, Yousaf pledged to “dedicate every waking moment” to serving the people of Scotland.

But he faced immediate pressure from opposition parties, with Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross urging Yousaf to abandon “divisive” plans for an independence referendum.

Meanwhile, the Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar said that, with the election of Yousaf, the SNP remained “out of touch and out of ideas”.