Greens oust SNP's Robertson as they win first Holyrood constituencies

The Scottish Greens have won their first ever Holyrood constituencies, ousting SNP heavyweight Angus Robertson in Edinburgh Central and taking Nicola Sturgeon's former constituency Glasgow Southside.

Lorna Slater - a former Green co-leader who previously served as a minister in an SNP-Green government - won Edinburgh Central with a comfortable majority of 4,582 (13%) over Labour.

Robertson, a former government minister and party deputy leader, slumped to third place.

Green councillor Holly Bruce won Glasgow Southside with a majority of 3,101 (8.1%) over former SNP minister Kaukab Stewart.

The Greens had never previously won a constituency contest, having returned all previous MSPs on regional lists.

Robertson, who served as the Scottish government's culture and external affairs secretary during the last parliament, is expected to be the highest-profile casualty of the election.

He won 7,702 votes, well behind Slater on 12,680. It is the first time since 2011 that the SNP has finished third in a constituency ballot for Holyrood.

Robertson is also standing on the Edinburgh and Lothians East region, but is highly unlikely to be returned as an MSP because he is ranked as the fourth SNP candidate.

Slater, Edinburgh Central's next MSP, led the Scottish Greens with Patrick Harvie between 2019 and 2025.

She served as a minister in the Scottish government following the 2021 election, thanks to a power-sharing deal with the SNP which ended in 2024.

Slater described her party's first constituency victory as a "significant milestone".

She told BBC Scotland News: "Two constituencies is amazing for us.

"It shows how that progressive agenda really has support, especially from young people."

Slater was hopeful the Greens would better their record result of eight MSPs in 2021.

She added: "Holly is going to be a great MSP. We absolutely weren't really expecting that, so I'm blown away."

Bruce, a former lawyer, said in her acceptance speech: "I live and I breath the Southside.

"This victory isn't just mine, it belongs to all of you."

The Greens also ran the SNP close in Edinburgh North Eastern and Leith, as well as Glasgow Kelvin and Maryhill.

Robertson's defeat is not the first stinging setback in the eventful political career of the former SNP Westminster leader.

He unexpectedly lost Moray to the Conservatives in the 2015 general election, prompting a move to Holyrood in 2021.