The final list of candidates who will vie for seats across the north and north-east of Scotland at the upcoming election has been confirmed.
Nominations closed yesterday afternoon before the country heads to the ballot boxes on May 5.
Polls suggest the SNP is highly likely to retain its existing seats in the north and north-east of Scotland – and could gain more.
The confirmed candidate lists were published by local authorities as Ukip announced its regional candidates with just five weeks to go until the election.
Leader David Coburn is the anti-EU party’s top candidate in the Highlands and Islands region.
The SNP has also confirmed that “Nicola Sturgeon for First Minister” will appear on ballot papers.
Campaign director and Deputy First Minister John Swinney said: “The SNP campaign is in top gear. We can be very proud of the strong team of candidates who will represent the party in May.
“Like every other SNP candidate across Scotland, I am immensely proud to make the case for a re-elected and historic third-term SNP government.”
The vast majority of the SNP candidates in the region previously represented their constituencies as MSPs in the last parliament.
Former Scottish Liberal Democrat MSPs Tavish Scott and Liam McArthur are also hoping to be returned to represent Shetland and Orkney respectively.
Former MP Alan Reid is also running in Argyll and Bute.
