The Liberal Democrats defied the doubters as the party scored a stunning double victory to hold on to both northern isles seats.
Orkney incumbent Liam McArthur and his Shetland counterpart Tavish Scott both won two-thirds of the vote in their constituencies.
The northern isles were almost the last remaining Lib Dem heartland in Scotland going into the election, and the seats were viewed as among the few constituencies which could change hands.
But those predictions proved unfounded as Mr McArthur secured a third term, more than doubling his majority from 2,912 to 7,096 in the process.
Similarly, Mr Scott won 7,440 votes, up from 4,462 last time, and will represent Shetland for a fifth parliament.
The result showed that there was no negative impact for the Lib Dems from the so-called “French-gate” scandal, in which northern isles MP Alistair Carmichael was accused of lying about his role in leaking a memo containing comments allegedly made by the French ambassador about Nicola Sturgeon, subsequently plunging him into controversy and a lengthy legal battle.
Party sources believe there may have been a backlash against the Nationalists among those who believed the vilification of Mr Carmichael went too far.
SNP Orkney candidate Donna Heddle increased her number of votes on 2011 but actually dropped her vote share, winning the backing of 2,562 islanders.
It was a dismal night for the other candidates, as Conservative Jamie Halcro Johnston secured 435 votes, Labour’s Gerry McGarvey received just 304, and independent Paul Dawson got 137.
On Shetland, meanwhile, the SNP’s Danus Skene received 2,545, Labour’s Robina Barton won 651 while Conservative Cameron Smith got 405.
UK Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said his party had “smashed it” on the northern isles.
Mr McArthur said: “I think we fought a very positive campaign, both in terms of what the Liberal Democrats are offering at a national level, and through what I like to think I was offering at a local level in terms of the type of MSP that I’ve been over the last nine years, and now what I’ve committed to be over the next five years.”
Mr Carmichael said: “The message for the SNP is that if they want support in the isles, then they are going to have to start treating us fairly.
“They have put money into ferry services in every other part of Scotland and have neglected us. That has got to change.”