Alex Salmond’s Holyrood successor in Aberdeenshire East has said the former first minister is the “best mentor” she could have hoped for.
The SNP’s Gillian Martin claimed a resounding victory in the seat after winning 15,912 votes – almost 6,000 more than her nearest rival.
Conservative Colin Clark came second with 10,075 votes
Mr Salmond, who is now Gordon MP, had held Aberdeenshire East since 2007.
“Alex is a massive figure in Aberdeenshire East, to even contemplate following him is a very big deal,” Mr Martin said.
“The way I look upon it is I have the best mentor in the world.”
Mrs Martin said she hoped to be a part of the “diversification” of the local economy, and to get rural communities better connected to the wider world.
She added: “There area a few things I’m looking forward to being rolled out that I want to be at the heart of. Childcare has been a massive issue for myself as a mum, with two kids.
“And the fact that the area has got the new infrastructure coming up, it can open it up for more business.”
Mr Clark said the surge in support for his party would put the Tories “back on the Scottish political map”.
He added: “We have shown that Aberdeenshire East has very much got a very strong Conservative vote and a very strong Unionist vote.”
Liberal Democrat Christine Jardine secured 6,611 votes in Aberdeenshire East and Labour’s Sarah Flavell 2,155.
