Ewing, Winnie (Winnifred Margaret) (1929– )

Scottish Nationalist politician. Her victory at the Hamilton by-election in 1967 established the Scottish National Party (SNP) as a major political force. Although ousted there in 1970, she won the Moray and Nairn seat in 1974. After losing this position in 1979 she was elected to the European Parliament in the same year, representing the Highlands and Islands, and re-elected in 1984, 1989, and 1994. She became president of the SNP in 1988.

One of the best-known figures in the SNP, she became president of the SNP European Free Alliance in 1981, and is known as ‘Madame Ecosse’ because of her work in Europe.

Born in Glasgow, she was educated at Glasgow University, and became a lawyer and president of the Glasgow Bar Association.