The old guard and a new broom emerged victorious in two north seats – both flying the flag for the SNP.
Veteran government minister Fergus Ewing increased his majority to almost 11,000 in the Inverness and Nairn seat which he has held since 1999.
Meanwhile, Gail Ross defended Caithness, Sutherland and Ross for the SNP – the seat previously held by Rob Gibson, who retired at the end of the last parliament.
Mrs Ross, a Highland councillor for Wick, hailed the emergence of young female MSPs in the new parliament – with 26-year-old Kate Forbes having also claimed neighbouring Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch for the SNP.
The mother-of-one said: “It is just fantastic. It is great for young females to have young female role models in parliament. The rise in females in Scottish politics can only be a good thing.”
She also paid tribute to her predecessor Mr Gibson.
The new MSP said: “I don’t believe I will ever fill his boots, and would not want to fill his boots as I have my own way of doing things.
“Rob has done such good work and all we can do now is build on that.”
Fellow councillor Jamie Stone was denied in his bid to return to the Scottish Parliament for the Lib Dems, finishing second between Mrs Ross despite increasing his party’s share of the vote by 9%.
Conservative candidate Struan Mackie was third while Labour’s Leah Franchetti was the fourth candidate for the seat.
Mr Ewing secured just over 48% the vote at 18,505, representing a fall of just over 3%.
However, he was content with increasing his majority over second-placed Conservative Edward Mountain, who was later elected as a list MSP.
Mr Ewing said: “I’m delighted to be re-elected. With a majority of 11,000 it’s a bit more secure than the 441 that I started off with.
“I hope it’s because I work hard for constituents who seek my help and also because I think the SNP has demonstrated we’re a party that stands up for Scotland, but also works hard for the Highlands and delivers.”
Labour’s David Stewart was third for the seat, although he will also return to parliament as a list MSP, while Lib Dem candidate Carolyn Caddick was fourth.
