Lib Dem veterans won big at the 2026 Holyrood election, with both the party leader and former party leader securing majorities of over 13,000.
Other newly-elected MSPs also enjoyed sizable majorities at the ballot box, including former and current MPs who were making the leap from Westminster to Holyrood.
While most of the top performing MSPs are faces familiar to us from either Westminster or Holyrood, there are a couple of new faces making the list as well.
We have taken a look at the 10 largest majorities in this new Scottish Parliament.
1. 1. Willie Rennie, Fife North East - 13,474
Former Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie got the largest majority of any MSP at this election, with a whopping 13,474. He secured 21,350 votes to secure the Fife North East, well ahead of his nearest rival the SNP’s John Beare on just 7,876. This is also well ahead of the 7,448 majority he secured in the 2021 Scottish Parliament election. Mr Rennie told The Scotsman he was pleased with the stellar result, if a little embarrassed. | Local Library
2. 2. Alex Cole-Hamilton, Edinburgh North Western - 13,016
The Lib Dems promised its leader Alex Cole-Hamilton would have a “North Korea” level of victory in Edinburgh North Western - and despite the odd analogy, they were not wrong. Mr Cole-Hamilton secured a majority of 13,016. He also notched up the highest total number of votes as well, winning 22,959. This is well ahead of second place Lyn Jardine from the SNP on 9,943, and well ahead of the 9,885 majority he received back in 2021. | Jane Barlow/Press Association
3. 3. Alison Thewliss, Glasgow Central - 9,964
At the 2024 general election, Alison Thewliss was pictured in tears at losing her Glasgow Central seat in Westminster. Fast forward two years, and she has something to celebrate - she secured her place in Holyrood with a 9,964 majority. In total the former MP received 15,085 votes,well ahead of Vonnie Sandlan from Scottish Labour in second place on just 5,094. | Andrew Milligan/Press Association
4. 4. Angela Constance, Almond Valley - 8,909
Angela Constance was able to round off what had been a difficult year for her politically by getting an emphatic mandate from the people of Almond Valley. Ms Constance, who served in the last government as justice secretary, secured 16,944 votes, giving her a majority of 8,909. This is slightly down from her majority of 12,130 from the last election in 2021, but is comfortably ahead of Jordan Stokoe from Scottish Labour in second place with just 8,035 votes. | Jane Barlow/Press Association