HUMZA Yousaf said his election is the culmination of a “journey of the generations from the Punjab to Parliament.

He said he feels like “the luckiest man in the world” after being elected SNP leader and spoke of his family’s background as immigrants to Scotland.

The Pollok MSP beat rival Kate Forbes in a close contest with Ash Regan in third.

After the second round when Regan was eliminated, Yousaf won 52.1% of the vote to Forbes's 47.9%.

READ MORE: Revealed: Winner of the SNP leadership contest

Yousaf is likely to be confirmed as Scotland’s First Minister tomorrow when MSPs vote in Holyrood for Nicola Sturgeon’s successor.

Yousaf will become the first person from an ethnic minority background to hold the top political office in Scotland.

With his parents watching as he was announced leader of the SNP, Yousaf said his grandparents came to Scotland and worked in the Singer sewing factory in Clydebank and on the Glasgow Corporation buses.

Glasgow Times:

He said: “They could not have imagined their grandson would be on the cusp of becoming Scotland’s first minister.”

He added that his election shows “colour of skin or faith is not a barrier”, adding: “From the Punjab to Parliament, this is a journey over generations.”

Yousaf also quoted a former UK Labour leader, he said: "It was the late John Smith who got it right when he said ‘the opportunity to serve our country is all we ask'.”

He continued: “I will dedicate every waking moment to serve the people of Scotland ... It will be the greatest privilege of my life should Parliament elect me as First Minister tomorrow.”