Spent the weekend participating in well earned local celebrations of the stunning election results but also attending a major national hoolie at the Jam House and the photo-op gathering of all 69 SNP MSPs at Holyrood on Saturday. There is no doubt that the mood of all events was irrepressibly upbeat. My problem at each was that I still can’t decide whether I am elated at being part of the team that achieved such an unprecedented and historic victory or scunnered that I should be pipped at the post to represent this county that I love.

It seems that I am at last coming down on the side of the former, positive view. In deciding to write a letter to the local press to thank all those who voted for me—or even considered doing so—my later draft removed a dig at Labour for its habitual head-in-the-sand routine. For blogroll readers, here is the  less gracious and more partisan paragraph removed:

‘Less than two weeks before polling day, Willie Innes, ELC Labour leader responded to the Scotsman’s claim that I might be close to winning here by stating: “Quite honestly, this is just ridiculous. There is absolutely no chance of this happening. I think it is just bravado from the SNP”.’

Makes me smile every time I read it.