As Conservative candidates swept to victory across Aberdeenshire, several high-profile figures were stripped of their councillor status in narrow defeats.
Peterhead South’s SNP councillor Stuart Pratt, who has represented the Blue Toon for 28 years, was a surprise loser in a ward which was swung wildly to Conservative candidate Alan Fakley.
Mr Pratt, who was the sitting chairman of the local area committee, received the third most first preference votes in the three-member ward but was pipped by former school teacher and independent candidate Stephen Calder at the fifth stage of counting.
“I felt okay speaking to local people but there was a tide of blue,” he said last night. “It looks as though that will happen across the country.
“I wish everybody the very best. I hope they continue to push for a new Peterhead community campus to make sure the kids get the best education.”
SNP colleague Lenny Pirie was defeated by Liberal Democrat Anne Simpson in Central Buchan. And in Fraserburgh, long-standing independent councillor Ian Tait – previously a member of the SNP – was defeated in an eight-way contest.
Meanwhile, it was a disappointing day for veteran nationalist councillor Bryan Stuart who lost his seat in the Inverurie and District ward.
Mr Stuart was first elected to the council in 2007 but fell victim to a drop in the SNP’s support in the area after the party returned just one member in the ward.
And Labour is now down to just one representative with Stonehaven and Lower Deeside councillor Raymond Christie missing out on re-election.
Mr Christie, who was first elected in 2012, leaves behind former co-leader Alison Evison as the only member wearing a red rosette in the new crop of councillors.