Kenneth Roy
The myth
of a united
Scotland
The Cafe
Life of Alex
Bob Cant
In Scotland, there is
an enormous wall
of national silence
The Cafe 2
Two golfers
Andrew Hook
The noble world of
Bobby Charlton is
becoming a distant memory
The Cafe 3
John MacLeod
Barbara Millar
The philosopher
who seemed a genuinely
nice guy
Humeisms
Sayings of the great man
The class of 2011
A guide
to the new
Scottish Parliament
The final score
A last look at the seats
11.05.11
No. 402
The final score
SNP
Central Scotland (6)
Airdrie and Shotts
Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
East Kilbride
Falkirk East
Falkirk West
Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse
Glasgow (5)
Glasgow Anniesland
Glasgow Cathcart
Glasgow Kelvin
Glasgow Shettleston
Glasgow Southside
Highlands and Islands (6)
Argyll and Bute
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
Inverness and Nairn
Moray
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
Lothian (8)
Almond Valley
Edinburgh Central
Edinburgh Eastern
Edinburgh Pentlands
Edinburgh Southern
Edinburgh Western
Linlithgow
Midlothian North and Musselburgh
Mid Scotland and Fife (8)
Clackmannanshire and Dunblane
Dunfermline
Kirkcaldy
Mid Fife and Glenrothes
North East Fife
Perthshire North
Perthshire South and Kinross-shire
Stirling
North East Scotland (10)
Aberdeen Central
Aberdeen Donside
Aberdeen South and Kincardine North
Aberdeenshire East
Aberdeenshire West
Angus North and Mearns
Angus South
Banffshire and Buchan Coast
Dundee City East
Dundee City West
South Scotland (4)
Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
Clydesdale
Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale
West Scotland (6)
Clydebank and Milngavie
Cunninghame North
Cunninghame South
Paisley
Renfrewshire North and West
Strathkelvin and Bearsden
Total 53
Labour
Central Scotland (3)
Coatbridge and Chryston
Motherwell and Wishaw
Uddingston and Bellshill
Glasgow (4)
Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn
Glasgow Pollok
Glasgow Provan
Rutherglen
Lothian (1)
Edinburgh Northern and Leith
Mid Scotland and Fife (1)
Cowdenbeath
South Scotland (2)
Dumfriesshire
East Lothian
West Scotland (4)
Dumbarton
Eastwood
Greenock and Inverclyde
Renfrewshire South
Total: 15
Conservatives
South Scotland (3)
Ayr
Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire
Galloway and West Dumfries
Total: 3
Liberal Democrats
Highlands and Islands (2)
Orkney
Shetland
Total: 2
A guide to
the new
Scottish Parliament
We list below the 129 MSPs including a brief biog of each of the 48 new members:
Brian Adam
SNP: Aberdeen Donside
George Adam
SNP: Paisley
Has been involved with the SNP since his late teens and active with the party in Paisley since the 1980s. Before beng elected to Renfrewshire Council in 2007, worked in the motor industry as a sales manager.
Clare Adamson
SNP: Central Scotland
Local councillor and part-time parliamentary assistant. Previously worked in IT, latterly with the SNP campaign unit in Edinburgh.
Alasdair Allan
SNP: Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Jackie Baillie
Lab: Dumbarton
Claire Baker
Lab: Mid Scotland and Fife
Richard Baker
Lab: North East Scotland
Claudia Beamish
Lab: South Scotland
Chair of the Scottish Labour Party, 2008-10. Is also a former chair of the Socialist Environment Resources Association. Teaches part-time in South Lanarkshire primary schools and has also run a community
theatre company.
Colin Beattie
SNP: Midlothian North and Musselburgh
Originally from Forfar. Has had a career in national and international finance, working in both the UK and overseas. Elected a councillor in Midlothian in 2007.
Marco Biagi
SNP: Edinburgh Central
Policy adviser with SNP’s parliamentary central staff, supporting all the party’s MPs. Educated at the universities of St Andrews, California (Berkeley), Oxford and Glasgow.
Neil Bibby
Lab: West Scotland
Born in Paisley and studied at Glasgow University. Became a local councillor in Renfrewshire in 2007. Former chair of Young Labour UK.
Sarah Boyack
Lab: Lothian
Chic Brodie
SNP: South Scotland
Grew up in Dundee and studied maths and economics at St Andrews University. Has run several companies and been an advisor to small and start-up companies in Scotland.
Gavin Brown
Con: Lothian
Keith Brown
SNP: Clackmannanshire and Dunblane
Margaret Burgess
SNP: Cunninghame South
Ayrshire born and bred, has served as a councillor in Kilwinning and as SNP group leader on North Ayrshire Council. Manager of East Ayrshire Citizens Advice Bureau. Previously worked as a freelance journalist and university lecturer.
Aileen Campbell
SNP: Clydesdale
Roderick Campbell
SNP: North East Fife
Born in Edinburgh, educated at Exeter University and the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Has a degree in politics and qualified as a solicitor in both England and Scotland. Was a partner in an international law firm based in London. Qualified as an advocate in 2008.
Jackson Carlaw
Con: West Scotland
Malcolm Chisholm
Lab: Edinburgh Northern and Leith
Willie Coffey
SNP: Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
Angela Constance
SNP: Almond Valley
Bruce Crawford
SNP: Stirling
Roseanna Cunningham
SNP: Perthshire South and Kinross-shire
Ruth Davidson
Con: Glasgow
Daughter of a former Partick Thistle footballer. Journalist and broadcaster with BBC and Real Radio. Sunday school teacher and Territorial Army volunteer.
Graeme Dey
SNP: Angus South
Born in Aberdeen. Joined D C Thomson as a journalist in 1980 and became sports editor of the Dundee Courier. Election agent to Mike Weir MP from 2001.
Nigel Don
SNP: Angus North and Mearns
Bob Doris
SNP: Glasgow
James Dornan
SNP: Glasgow Cathcart
Elected to Glasgow City Council in 2007, a director of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Kezia Dugdale
Lab: Lothian
Has a degree in law and a masters in Scottish social and public policy. Worked in public affairs, latterly with the National Union of Students. Ran the parliamentary office of Lord Foulkes from 2007.
Helen Eadie
Lab: Cowdenbeath
Jim Eadie
SNP: Edinburgh Southern
Since 2008 has run his own consultancy business, working for healthcare clients. Was head of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries Scottish office for five years, having previously worked for the Royal College of Nursing and Scottish Television.
Annabelle Ewing
SNP: Mid Scotland and Fife
Daughter of Winnie Ewing, sister of Fergus. Graduated from Glasgow University and worked for 10 years as a Brussels-based lawyer. Returned to Scotland to run a small legal practice in Glasgow. SNP MP for Perth, 2001-05.
Fergus Ewing
SNP: Inverness and Nairn
Linda Fabiani
SNP: East Kilbride
Mary Fee
Lab: West Scotland
Local councillor in Renfrewshire, part-time shop assistant, and trade union activist (USDAW).
Patricia Ferguson
Lab: Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn
Alex Fergusson
Con: Galloway and West Dumfries
Neil Findlay
Lab: Lothian
West Lothian councillor and part-time support for learning teacher with Falkirk Council. Worked in the social housing sector before undertaking a PGCE in secondary education. Company secretary, Fauldhouse Community Development Trust.
John Finnie
SNP: Highlands and Islands
Born and brought up in Lochaber. Served for 30 years in the police. SNP group leader on Highland Council.
Joe FitzPatrick
SNP: Dundee City West
Murdo Fraser
Con: Mid Scotland and Fife
Kenneth Gibson
SNP: Cunninghame North
Rob Gibson
SNP: Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
Annabel Goldie
Con: West Scotland
Christine Grahame
SNP: Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale
Rhoda Grant
Lab: Highlands and Islands
Iain Gray
Lab: East Lothian
Mark Griffin
Lab: Central Scotland
Graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2007 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Worked in the engineering industry before being elected as a North Lanarkshire councillor in 2008.
Patrick Harvie
Green: Glasgow
Hugh Henry
Lab: Renfrewshire South
Jamie Hepburn
SNP: Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
Jim Hume
Lib Dem: South Scotland
Fiona Hyslop
SNP: Linlithgow
Adam Ingram
SNP: Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
Alex Johnstone
Con: North East Scotland
Alison Johnstone
Green: Lothian
Born and bred in Edinburgh. A Green councillor in the city. Worked for Robin Harper MSP. A fomer East of Scotland athletics champion.
Colin Keir
SNP: Edinburgh Western
Born in Edinburgh. Spent 16 years in the office equipment trade and 13 years working with Lothian Buses. Former convener of the regulatory committee of the City of Edinburgh Council. A former Scottish schools cross-country international.
James Kelly
Lab: Rutherglen
Bill Kidd
SNP: Glasgow Anniesland
Johann Lamont
Lab: Glasgow Pollok
John Lamont
Con: Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire
Richard Lochhead
SNP: Moray
Richard Lyle
SNP: Central Scotland
Joined the SNP at the age of 16. Won a council seat in Motherwell in 1976 and is now SNP group leader on North Lanarkshire Council and on COSLA.
Joan McAlpine
SNP: South Scotland
Born in Gourock. Graduated from Glasgow University in Scottish history and economic history. Journalist with a number of newspapers, including the Scotsman, Herald and Sunday Times. Was married to the musician and writer Pat Kane.
Liam McArthur
Lib Dem: Orkney Islands
Kenny MacAskill
SNP: Edinburgh Eastern
Margaret McCulloch
Lab: Central Scotland
Born in Glasgow, graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University. Worked at the University of Strathclyde for 17 years before becoming self-employed. Delivers training for modern apprentices.
Angus MacDonald
SNP: Falkirk East
Became the youngest JP in the country, and a Falkirk councillor, in 1992. Studied at the College for Estate Management and had a career in agriculture. Chairman of Mod 2008 in Falkirk.
Gordon MacDonald
SNP: Edinburgh Pentlands
Born in Glasgow, studied at Glasgow College of Technology. Employed as an accountant with the local bus company in Edinburgh. Has been an active member of the party for 36 years.
Lewis Macdonald
Lab: North East Scotland
Margo MacDonald
Ind: Lothian
Mark McDonald
SNP: North East Scotland
Born in Inverurie, graduated from Dundee University with a politics degree. Elected to Aberdeen City Council in 2007 and is now deputy leader of the SNP group. Worked for three MSPs.
Margaret McDougall
Lab: West Scotland
Works as a housing officer with Scottish Homes. North Ayrshire councillor since 1999.
Jamie McGrigor
Con: Highlands and Islands
Alison McInnes
Lib Dem: North East Scotland
Ken Macintosh
Lab: Eastwood
Derek Mackay
SNP: Renfrewshire North and West
A councillor since 1999, leader of Renfrewshire Council, chair of Renfrewshire Community Health Partnership and a non-executive director of Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board. Has worked as a parliamentary assistant.
Christina McKelvie
SNP: Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse
Mike MacKenzie
SNP: Highlands and Islands
Born and brougnt up in Glasgow. Runs a building business on Easdale. Founding director of Eilean Eisdeal, a community development company in Argyll. Stepped in to save the local pub and restaurant on Easdale when it was in danger of closing.
Aileen McLeod
SNP: South Scotland
Born in East Kilbride, studied at Edinburgh University. Spent five years working in the European Parliament for an SNP MEP. Has worked for Mike Russell MSP since 2009.
Fiona McLeod
SNP: Strathkelvin and Bearsden
Graduated in medieval and modern history at Glasgow University. A chartered librarian, has worked in education and the health service. SNP list member of the Scottish Parliament, 1999-2003.
David McLetchie
Con: Lothian
Michael McMahon
Lab: Uddingston and Bellshill
Siobhan McMahon
Lab: Central Scotland
Graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a degree in politics. Worked for the Labour group in the Scottish Parliament and was a research assistant to Jim Murphy MP and Ken Macintosh MSP.
Stuart McMillan
SNP: West Scotland
Duncan McNeil
Lab: Greenock and Inverclyde
Anne McTaggart
Lab: Glasgow
Social worker and chair of local parents’ council. Glasgow city councillor.
Hanzala Malik
Lab: Glasgow
Graduate of the University of Paisley. Has a background in the retail and wholesale service industry, as well as in the design of IT systems. Has been chair of Glasgow City Heritage Trust and the West of Scotland Regional Equality Council.
Jenny Marra
Lab: North East Scotland
Born in Dundee, studied history at St Andrews University, won a scholarship to Emory University, Atlanta. Returned to her home town and became head of press at Dundee University. Worked for Labour MEPs in Brussels and Strasbourg. Took a Scots law degree.
Paul Martin
Lab: Glasgow Provan
Tricia Marwick
SNP: Mid Fife and Glenrothes
John Mason
SNP: Glasgow Shettleston
SNP MP for Glasgow East, 2008-10, following a by-election victory. Studied accountancy at Glasgow University, going on to become a chartered accountant. Spent three years with an NGO in Kathmandu. Former leader of the opposition, Glasgow City Council.
Michael Matheson
SNP: Falkirk West
Stewart Maxwell
SNP: West Scotland
Nanette Milne
Con: North East Scotland
Margaret Mitchell
Con: Central Scotland
Elaine Murray
Lab: Dumfriesshire
Alex Neil
SNP: Airdrie and Shotts
John Park
Lab: Mid Scotland and Fife
Gil Paterson
SNP: Clydebank and Milngavie
Graeme Pearson
Lab: South Scotland
A police officer for 38 years, ending his career as director-general of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency. Was responsible for the introduction of the first Scottish CCTV system in Airdrie in the 1980s. A graduate of Glasgow University, now works there as an honorary professor.
John Pentland
Lab: Motherwell and Wishaw
Born in Motherwell, worked as a welder and spent 28 years with the British Steel Corporation. Elected to Motherwell Council in 1992. PA to Frank Roy MP from 1997 and chair of North Lanarkshire Municipal Bank for 14 years.
Willie Rennie
Lib Dem: Mid Scotland and Fife
Grew up in Strathmiglo and attended college in Paisley. Chief executive of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and the party’s chief of staff at the Scottish Parliament, 1997-2001. MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, 2006-10.
Dennis Robertson
SNP: Aberdeenshire West
Born in Aberdeen. Registered blind at the age of 11 and attended the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh. Qualified in social work and has worked in both the statutory and voluntary sectors.
Shona Robison
SNP: Dundee City East
Michael Russell
SNP: Argyll and Bute
Alex Salmond
SNP: Aberdeenshire East
Mary Scanlon
Con: Highlands and Islands
John Scott
Con: Ayr
Tavish Scott
Lib Dem: Shetland Islands
Richard Simpson
Lab: Mid Scotland and Fife
Drew Smith
Lab: Glasgow
Studied at the universities of Aberdeen and Glasgow. Worked for Labour at Holyrood and Westminster and as a policy and communications officer in health promotion. Active in the north Glasgow community.
Elaine Smith
Lab: Coatbridge and Chryston
Elizabeth Smith
Con: Mid Scotland and Fife
Stewart Stevenson
SNP: Banffshire and Buchan Coast
David Stewart
Lab: Highlands and Islands
Kevin Stewart
SNP: Aberdeen Central
Aberdeen born and bred, has been a local councillor for 11 years and is depute leader of the city council, having led the SNP group into coalition with the Lib Dems in 2007.
Nicola Sturgeon
SNP: Glasgow Southside
John Swinney
SNP: Perthshire North
Dave Thompson
SNP: Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
David Torrance
SNP: Kirkcaldy
Born in Kirkcaldy. Studied mechanical engineering at Adam Smith College. Employed by British Gas and other companies before going into politics full-time in 2007, working for Chris Harvie MSP. Fife councillor. Assistant district commissioner, Kirkcaldy Scouts.
Jean Urquhart
SNP: Highlands and Islands
Managing director of the Ceilidh Place, Ullapool. SNP councillor. Chair of Scotland’s Housing Expo and vice-chair of Eden Court Theatre.
Bill Walker
SNP: Dunfermline
Born and brought up in Edinburgh. Graduated from Edinburgh University in electrical engineering and became a chartered engineer. Fife councillor.
Maureen Watt
SNP: Aberdeen South and North Kincardine
Paul Wheelhouse
SNP: South Scotland
Born in Northern Ireland, moved to Scotland in 1973 and studied at Aberdeen University and Edinburgh University management school. Worked as an economist with two firms and has acted as a policy adviser to a wide range of public, private and voluntary organisations.
Sandra White
SNP: Glasgow Kelvin
John Wilson
SNP: Central Scotland
Humza Yousaf
SNP: Glasgow
Aged 25, has been active in the SNP and Glasgow politics since his teens. Graduated from Glasgow University in 2007 with a degree in politics. Has worked for Alex Salmond as a parliamentary researcher and later at party HQ. Media spokesperson for Islamic Relief Scotland.
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No. 402
Airdrie and Shotts
Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
East Kilbride
Falkirk East
Falkirk West
Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse
Glasgow Anniesland
Glasgow Cathcart
Glasgow Kelvin
Glasgow Shettleston
Glasgow Southside
Argyll and Bute
Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
Inverness and Nairn
Moray
Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
Almond Valley
Edinburgh Central
Edinburgh Eastern
Edinburgh Pentlands
Edinburgh Southern
Edinburgh Western
Linlithgow
Midlothian North and Musselburgh
Clackmannanshire and Dunblane
Dunfermline
Kirkcaldy
Mid Fife and Glenrothes
North East Fife
Perthshire North
Perthshire South and Kinross-shire
Stirling
Aberdeen Central
Aberdeen Donside
Aberdeen South and Kincardine North
Aberdeenshire East
Aberdeenshire West
Angus North and Mearns
Angus South
Banffshire and Buchan Coast
Dundee City East
Dundee City West
Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
Clydesdale
Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale
Clydebank and Milngavie
Cunninghame North
Cunninghame South
Paisley
Renfrewshire North and West
Strathkelvin and Bearsden
Labour
Coatbridge and Chryston
Motherwell and Wishaw
Uddingston and Bellshill
Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn
Glasgow Pollok
Glasgow Provan
Rutherglen
Edinburgh Northern and Leith
Cowdenbeath
Dumfriesshire
East Lothian
Dumbarton
Eastwood
Greenock and Inverclyde
Renfrewshire South
Conservatives
Ayr
Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire
Galloway and West Dumfries
Orkney
Shetland
We list below the 129 MSPs including a brief biog of each of the 48 new members:
SNP: Aberdeen Donside
SNP: Paisley
Has been involved with the SNP since his late teens and active with the party in Paisley since the 1980s. Before beng elected to Renfrewshire Council in 2007, worked in the motor industry as a sales manager.
SNP: Central Scotland
Local councillor and part-time parliamentary assistant. Previously worked in IT, latterly with the SNP campaign unit in Edinburgh.
SNP: Na h-Eileanan an Iar
Lab: Dumbarton
Lab: Mid Scotland and Fife
Lab: North East Scotland
Lab: South Scotland
Chair of the Scottish Labour Party, 2008-10. Is also a former chair of the Socialist Environment Resources Association. Teaches part-time in South Lanarkshire primary schools and has also run a community
theatre company.
SNP: Midlothian North and Musselburgh
Originally from Forfar. Has had a career in national and international finance, working in both the UK and overseas. Elected a councillor in Midlothian in 2007.
SNP: Edinburgh Central
Policy adviser with SNP’s parliamentary central staff, supporting all the party’s MPs. Educated at the universities of St Andrews, California (Berkeley), Oxford and Glasgow.
Lab: West Scotland
Born in Paisley and studied at Glasgow University. Became a local councillor in Renfrewshire in 2007. Former chair of Young Labour UK.
Lab: Lothian
SNP: South Scotland
Grew up in Dundee and studied maths and economics at St Andrews University. Has run several companies and been an advisor to small and start-up companies in Scotland.
Con: Lothian
SNP: Clackmannanshire and Dunblane
SNP: Cunninghame South
Ayrshire born and bred, has served as a councillor in Kilwinning and as SNP group leader on North Ayrshire Council. Manager of East Ayrshire Citizens Advice Bureau. Previously worked as a freelance journalist and university lecturer.
SNP: Clydesdale
SNP: North East Fife
Born in Edinburgh, educated at Exeter University and the universities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. Has a degree in politics and qualified as a solicitor in both England and Scotland. Was a partner in an international law firm based in London. Qualified as an advocate in 2008.
Con: West Scotland
Lab: Edinburgh Northern and Leith
SNP: Kilmarnock and Irvine Valley
SNP: Almond Valley
SNP: Stirling
SNP: Perthshire South and Kinross-shire
Con: Glasgow
Daughter of a former Partick Thistle footballer. Journalist and broadcaster with BBC and Real Radio. Sunday school teacher and Territorial Army volunteer.
SNP: Angus South
Born in Aberdeen. Joined D C Thomson as a journalist in 1980 and became sports editor of the Dundee Courier. Election agent to Mike Weir MP from 2001.
SNP: Angus North and Mearns
SNP: Glasgow
SNP: Glasgow Cathcart
Elected to Glasgow City Council in 2007, a director of the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Lab: Lothian
Has a degree in law and a masters in Scottish social and public policy. Worked in public affairs, latterly with the National Union of Students. Ran the parliamentary office of Lord Foulkes from 2007.
Lab: Cowdenbeath
SNP: Edinburgh Southern
Since 2008 has run his own consultancy business, working for healthcare clients. Was head of the Association of British Pharmaceutical Industries Scottish office for five years, having previously worked for the Royal College of Nursing and Scottish Television.
SNP: Mid Scotland and Fife
Daughter of Winnie Ewing, sister of Fergus. Graduated from Glasgow University and worked for 10 years as a Brussels-based lawyer. Returned to Scotland to run a small legal practice in Glasgow. SNP MP for Perth, 2001-05.
SNP: Inverness and Nairn
SNP: East Kilbride
Lab: West Scotland
Local councillor in Renfrewshire, part-time shop assistant, and trade union activist (USDAW).
Lab: Glasgow Maryhill and Springburn
Con: Galloway and West Dumfries
Lab: Lothian
West Lothian councillor and part-time support for learning teacher with Falkirk Council. Worked in the social housing sector before undertaking a PGCE in secondary education. Company secretary, Fauldhouse Community Development Trust.
SNP: Highlands and Islands
Born and brought up in Lochaber. Served for 30 years in the police. SNP group leader on Highland Council.
SNP: Dundee City West
Con: Mid Scotland and Fife
SNP: Cunninghame North
SNP: Caithness, Sutherland and Ross
Con: West Scotland
SNP: Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale
Lab: Highlands and Islands
Lab: East Lothian
Lab: Central Scotland
Graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 2007 with a degree in mechanical engineering. Worked in the engineering industry before being elected as a North Lanarkshire councillor in 2008.
Green: Glasgow
Lab: Renfrewshire South
SNP: Cumbernauld and Kilsyth
Lib Dem: South Scotland
SNP: Linlithgow
SNP: Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley
Con: North East Scotland
Green: Lothian
Born and bred in Edinburgh. A Green councillor in the city. Worked for Robin Harper MSP. A fomer East of Scotland athletics champion.
SNP: Edinburgh Western
Born in Edinburgh. Spent 16 years in the office equipment trade and 13 years working with Lothian Buses. Former convener of the regulatory committee of the City of Edinburgh Council. A former Scottish schools cross-country international.
Lab: Rutherglen
SNP: Glasgow Anniesland
Lab: Glasgow Pollok
Con: Ettrick, Roxburgh and Berwickshire
SNP: Moray
SNP: Central Scotland
Joined the SNP at the age of 16. Won a council seat in Motherwell in 1976 and is now SNP group leader on North Lanarkshire Council and on COSLA.
SNP: South Scotland
Born in Gourock. Graduated from Glasgow University in Scottish history and economic history. Journalist with a number of newspapers, including the Scotsman, Herald and Sunday Times. Was married to the musician and writer Pat Kane.
Lib Dem: Orkney Islands
SNP: Edinburgh Eastern
Lab: Central Scotland
Born in Glasgow, graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University. Worked at the University of Strathclyde for 17 years before becoming self-employed. Delivers training for modern apprentices.
SNP: Falkirk East
Became the youngest JP in the country, and a Falkirk councillor, in 1992. Studied at the College for Estate Management and had a career in agriculture. Chairman of Mod 2008 in Falkirk.
SNP: Edinburgh Pentlands
Born in Glasgow, studied at Glasgow College of Technology. Employed as an accountant with the local bus company in Edinburgh. Has been an active member of the party for 36 years.
Lab: North East Scotland
Ind: Lothian
SNP: North East Scotland
Born in Inverurie, graduated from Dundee University with a politics degree. Elected to Aberdeen City Council in 2007 and is now deputy leader of the SNP group. Worked for three MSPs.
Lab: West Scotland
Works as a housing officer with Scottish Homes. North Ayrshire councillor since 1999.
Con: Highlands and Islands
Lib Dem: North East Scotland
Lab: Eastwood
SNP: Renfrewshire North and West
A councillor since 1999, leader of Renfrewshire Council, chair of Renfrewshire Community Health Partnership and a non-executive director of Greater Glasgow and Clyde Health Board. Has worked as a parliamentary assistant.
SNP: Hamilton, Larkhall and Stonehouse
SNP: Highlands and Islands
Born and brougnt up in Glasgow. Runs a building business on Easdale. Founding director of Eilean Eisdeal, a community development company in Argyll. Stepped in to save the local pub and restaurant on Easdale when it was in danger of closing.
SNP: South Scotland
Born in East Kilbride, studied at Edinburgh University. Spent five years working in the European Parliament for an SNP MEP. Has worked for Mike Russell MSP since 2009.
SNP: Strathkelvin and Bearsden
Graduated in medieval and modern history at Glasgow University. A chartered librarian, has worked in education and the health service. SNP list member of the Scottish Parliament, 1999-2003.
Con: Lothian
Lab: Uddingston and Bellshill
Lab: Central Scotland
Graduated from Glasgow Caledonian University with a degree in politics. Worked for the Labour group in the Scottish Parliament and was a research assistant to Jim Murphy MP and Ken Macintosh MSP.
SNP: West Scotland
Lab: Greenock and Inverclyde
Lab: Glasgow
Social worker and chair of local parents’ council. Glasgow city councillor.
Lab: Glasgow
Graduate of the University of Paisley. Has a background in the retail and wholesale service industry, as well as in the design of IT systems. Has been chair of Glasgow City Heritage Trust and the West of Scotland Regional Equality Council.
Lab: North East Scotland
Born in Dundee, studied history at St Andrews University, won a scholarship to Emory University, Atlanta. Returned to her home town and became head of press at Dundee University. Worked for Labour MEPs in Brussels and Strasbourg. Took a Scots law degree.
Lab: Glasgow Provan
SNP: Mid Fife and Glenrothes
SNP: Glasgow Shettleston
SNP MP for Glasgow East, 2008-10, following a by-election victory. Studied accountancy at Glasgow University, going on to become a chartered accountant. Spent three years with an NGO in Kathmandu. Former leader of the opposition, Glasgow City Council.
SNP: Falkirk West
SNP: West Scotland
Con: North East Scotland
Con: Central Scotland
Lab: Dumfriesshire
SNP: Airdrie and Shotts
Lab: Mid Scotland and Fife
SNP: Clydebank and Milngavie
Lab: South Scotland
A police officer for 38 years, ending his career as director-general of the Scottish Crime and Drug Enforcement Agency. Was responsible for the introduction of the first Scottish CCTV system in Airdrie in the 1980s. A graduate of Glasgow University, now works there as an honorary professor.
Lab: Motherwell and Wishaw
Born in Motherwell, worked as a welder and spent 28 years with the British Steel Corporation. Elected to Motherwell Council in 1992. PA to Frank Roy MP from 1997 and chair of North Lanarkshire Municipal Bank for 14 years.
Lib Dem: Mid Scotland and Fife
Grew up in Strathmiglo and attended college in Paisley. Chief executive of the Scottish Liberal Democrats and the party’s chief of staff at the Scottish Parliament, 1997-2001. MP for Dunfermline and West Fife, 2006-10.
SNP: Aberdeenshire West
Born in Aberdeen. Registered blind at the age of 11 and attended the Royal Blind School in Edinburgh. Qualified in social work and has worked in both the statutory and voluntary sectors.
SNP: Dundee City East
SNP: Argyll and Bute
SNP: Aberdeenshire East
Con: Highlands and Islands
Con: Ayr
Lib Dem: Shetland Islands
Lab: Mid Scotland and Fife
Lab: Glasgow
Studied at the universities of Aberdeen and Glasgow. Worked for Labour at Holyrood and Westminster and as a policy and communications officer in health promotion. Active in the north Glasgow community.
Lab: Coatbridge and Chryston
Con: Mid Scotland and Fife
SNP: Banffshire and Buchan Coast
Lab: Highlands and Islands
SNP: Aberdeen Central
Aberdeen born and bred, has been a local councillor for 11 years and is depute leader of the city council, having led the SNP group into coalition with the Lib Dems in 2007.
SNP: Glasgow Southside
SNP: Perthshire North
SNP: Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch
SNP: Kirkcaldy
Born in Kirkcaldy. Studied mechanical engineering at Adam Smith College. Employed by British Gas and other companies before going into politics full-time in 2007, working for Chris Harvie MSP. Fife councillor. Assistant district commissioner, Kirkcaldy Scouts.
SNP: Highlands and Islands
Managing director of the Ceilidh Place, Ullapool. SNP councillor. Chair of Scotland’s Housing Expo and vice-chair of Eden Court Theatre.
SNP: Dunfermline
Born and brought up in Edinburgh. Graduated from Edinburgh University in electrical engineering and became a chartered engineer. Fife councillor.
SNP: Aberdeen South and North Kincardine
SNP: South Scotland
Born in Northern Ireland, moved to Scotland in 1973 and studied at Aberdeen University and Edinburgh University management school. Worked as an economist with two firms and has acted as a policy adviser to a wide range of public, private and voluntary organisations.
SNP: Glasgow Kelvin
SNP: Central Scotland
SNP: Glasgow
Aged 25, has been active in the SNP and Glasgow politics since his teens. Graduated from Glasgow University in 2007 with a degree in politics. Has worked for Alex Salmond as a parliamentary researcher and later at party HQ. Media spokesperson for Islamic Relief Scotland.
