A north-east town will play host this week to a celebration of 30 years of SNP rule in the area.
Former first minister, Alex Salmond, and Eilidh Whiteford, both of whom are MPs at Westminster, will visit Peterhead tomorrow to help launch the SNP’s council manifesto ahead of this year’s council elections.
The party has booked the function room in the port’s Albert Hotel from 7pm.
The event marks the 30th anniversary of the SNP’s election victory in the region in 1987 – when Mr Salmond dethroned the Conservatives from the Banff and Buchan constituency.
And they have held on to the seat ever since.
Mrs Whiteford said: “The night will celebrate 30 years of SNP success in Banff and Buchan.
“While Alex Salmond will no doubt enjoy the limelight of the evening, the event is a real opportunity for people to help shape the SNP’s local government policies.
“All suggestions will be welcome and raised with the council group who are in the process of finalising their manifesto for May’s elections.”
Aberdeenshire Council co-leader Richard Thomson will attend with the party’s councillors for North and Rattray, Anne Allan and Fiona MacRae, and South and Cruden, Stephen Smith and Stuart Pratt, are also expected to attend.
They have said they will listen to suggestions and ideas for the future of the local authority.
The SNP has not yet announced who will stand for election in the Banff and Buchan area.
In last year’s Scottish Parliament elections, the SNP won 15,802 votes in the region. Stewart Stevenson was elected as an MSP with more than 55% of the electorate.
Conservative Peter Chapman was elected through the list, having amassed 9,219 votes.
Labour, represented by Nathan Morrison, picked up 2,372 votes while Liberal Democrat David Evans won 1,290.
