The biggest shock of Moray’s local elections came in Buckie, where SNP stalwart Gordon McDonald lost his seat.
Mr McDonald said he was “hugely disappointed” that his 30 years of serving the public had been brought to an end.
A stunned Mr McDonald blamed his downfall on the tactics employed by the Conservative party, saying members “battered local issues to the side” while campaigning.
Surrounded by tearful supporters, he said: “I could see it coming, local issues were battered to the side throughout the campaign as they focussed on the general election.
“The local issues were just totally ignored.
“I saw very little activity in the streets from Mr Eagle, who won the most votes.
“But the voters have spoken and I have to accept that result.”
Opponents and colleagues were quick to pay tribute to Mr McDonald, who began representing Buckie on the Grampian Regional Council in 1988.
The SNP’s Sonya Warren, said she had “mixed emotions” about retaining her seat while her more experienced ally was cast aside.
Independent, Gordon Cowie, added: “That came as a big shock to everybody, I suspect there could be a variety of reasons for it.”
The Conservative candidate who ousted Mr McDonald, Tim Eagle, said: “The SNP has previously been so strong in Buckie, and Mr McDonald is very well-known in the town.
“I never expected to gain the highest number of votes, or to win so decisively.”
The SNP pointed out that, despite the surge in Conservative support, the Nationalist group remains the largest on the council with nine members.
