Scottish Election results 2021 RECAP: Alex Salmond concedes Alba unlikely to win seats | SNP's Angus Robertson takes Edinburgh Central from Scottish Conservatives | Nicola Sturgeon and John Swinney win constituencies | Labour's Jackie Baillie holds onto Dumbarton | Turnout surges | Interactive constituency map
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Take a look back on the events as they happened throughout the day.
Scottish Election 2021 RECAP: Election results and updates from across Scotland
Key Events
- Angus Robertson takes Edinburgh Central from Tories
- Sturgeon plays down chances of SNP majority
- SNP take Ayr from Tories in tight race
- Salmond concedes Alba unlikely to win seats
- SNP gain East Lothian from Labour
Sturgeon plays down chances of SNP majority
First Minister Nicola Sturgeon has played down the likelihood of an SNP majority in the Holyrood elections.
Speaking as she arrived at the Glasgow count, Ms Sturgeon said: “A majority has always been a very, very long shot – the Holyrood system is a proportional representation system, in 2011 we effectively broke that system.
“It would be good to do but I have never taken that for granted, that has always been on a knife edge – a small number of votes in a small number of seats – so we’ll wait and see how the votes will pan out over today and tomorrow.
“At this stage … I’m feeling extremely happy and extremely confident that we’re on track in the SNP for a fourth consecutive election victory and to have the ability to form a government again.
“That’s an extraordinary achievement for any political party and if that is how the results end, and that is how the election turns out, then I’ll be ready and eager to get back to work on behalf of the people of Scotland.”
SNP hold Caithness despite Lib Dem surge
The SNP’s Maree Todd has held onto the seat of Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, fending off a challenge from Molly Nolan of the Lib Dems.
Overall, there was a 2.6 per cent vote share swing towards the Lib Dems.
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Sturgeon wins Glasgow Southside
Nicola Sturgeon has held her seat of Glasgow Southside with a majority of over 9,000.
Labour leader Anas Sarwar also had a strong performance, taking his party’s vote share up from 20 per cent to 31 per cent.
Ms Sturgeon also increased her vote share from 45 per cent to 60 per cent.
Read the full story.
Nicola Sturgeon holds seat with 60% vote share, Anas Sarwar gains votes for Labour
The First Minister has held her seat in Glasgow Southside, seeing off Labour leader Anas Sarwar.
Watch Nicola Sturgeon’s victory speech
Scotland’s First Minister Nicola Sturgeon paid tribute to Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar in her victory speech, after she was announced as the winner of the election in Glasgow Southside.
The First Minister won 19,735 votes, compared to Mr Sarwar’s 10,279, a majority of 9,456.
Willie Rennie holds North East Fife
Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie has held the seat of North East Fife for his party.
Mr Rennie won 22,163 votes, compared to his SNP rival’s 14,715.
The Scottish Conservatives came third with 2,323, while Scottish Labour took 1,056 votes.
Based on previous results, it seems likely that around 3,000 former Tory voters backed Mr Rennie’s campaign for the seat.