Nicola Sturgeon officially sworn in as Scotland's First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has been officially sworn in as Scotland's First Minister. Ms Sturgeon succeeds Alex Salmond who announced he would step down after a majority of voters rejected independence in September's referendum. MSPs approved his former deputy as the new head of the Scottish Government in a vote at Holyrood on Wednesday. Scotland's first female leader was officially sworn in at the Court of Session in Edinburgh on Thursday morning by receiving the Royal Warrant. The formal proceeding took place before 15 senior judges. At the Scottish Parliament later she will take questions for the first time in the new role. Ms Sturgeon has vowed to lead a "bold, imaginative and adventurous" government which will build a "social democratic and socially just" nation. And she said she hopes her election as First Minister "opens the gate to greater opportunity for all women." Mr Salmond, 59, officially left Bute House on Tuesday. He said in a farewell address to MSPs: "Any parting is tinged with some sorrow, but in this case it is vastly outweighed by a sense of optimism and confidence. Confidence that we will have an outstanding new First Minister, confidence in the standing and the capability of this chamber and, most of all, confidence in the wisdom, talent and potential of the people of Scotland. Ms Sturgeon received a telephone call from the Prime Minister to congratulate her on the appointment. A spokesman for No 10 said: "Both agreed they wanted to build upon the relationship with her predecessor and to work together constructively in the spirit of the Edinburgh Agreement. They also discussed the Smith Commission and the Prime Minister underlined his commitment to continue to deliver on the vow made by the three pro-UK parties for further powers to the Scottish Parliament and to stick to the clear timetable set out.