Warm tributes have been paid to Ray Michie, Baroness Michie of Gallanach, who died at her home on Tuesday May 6th.

Ray Michie was MP for Argyll and Bute from 1987 until she stood down from Parliament in 2001. She then became a member of the House of Lords, and was the first peer to pledge the oath of allegiance in Gaelic.

Former Liberal Democrat Leader Charles Kennedy said:

“Ray Michie was one of my closest friends and professional confidantes in politics. The very sad news of her passing leaves public life much the poorer.

“Alongside her personal charm and tremendous sense of humour and fun was a first-class political brain which was able to judge individuals and issues with great shrewdness.

“She was never taken in by exaggeration and had a knack of getting right to the genuine heart of the matter. Her advice was always worth having.

“I was sorry when she decided to retire from the Commons but delighted when she accepted - after a little persuasion - my offer of a life peerage.”

He added: “We have all lost a true friend of principle and of people.”

Nicol Stephen, leader of the Scottish Liberal Democrats, said Ray had been one of the leading figures in the Scottish Liberal Democrats for many years.

“I can still remember the huge excitement when she was first elected as MP for Argyll and Bute. She always fought tirelessly for her constituents and for Scotland.

"We shared an office in the House of Commons and she always gave the very best of advice.

"She always fought tirelessly for her constituents and for Scotland.

"Ray was much loved by those inside and outside politics and will be very greatly missed."

Ray's successor as Argyll and Bute MP, Alan Reid, said:

"The people of Argyll and Bute will always have a special place in their hearts for Ray Michie."

Current Liberal Democrat Leader Nick Clegg expressed his sympathy and condolence to Ray's family and friends during Prime Minister's Question Time on May 7th. Prime Minister Gordon Brown echoed his words, saying Ray had been "a very distinguished Member of this House".

Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond also paid tribute to Ray, saying:

"It is a measure of the calibre of Ray Michie that when I asked if she would serve on the Broadcasting Commission, she insisted on doing so despite her battle with cancer. It is a measure of her own personal courage and her commitment to the interests of Scotland."