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.placeholder image
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

Holyrood election 2026: The 10 MSPs with the highest majorities

Rachel Amery
By Rachel Amery

Political Correspondent

Published 12th May 2026, 11:43 GMT

We take a look at which MSPs secured the highest majorities at the 2026 Scottish Parliament election.

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.

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We have taken a look at the 10 largest majorities in this new Scottish Parliament.

Dundee is known as “Yes City”, one of the few places in Scotland to vote in favour of independence back in the 2014 referendum. The SNP has dominated politics in this city ever since, and 2026 has been no exception. Stephen Gethins, who is also the MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, made the leap from Westminster to Holyrood with a majority of 8,177. He secured 12,696 votes, putting him ahead of Labour’s Cheryl-Ann Cruickshank on 4,792. He had big boots to fill - in 2021 former finance secretary Shona Robison held this seat with a majority of 13,337. Professor Gethins will have to resign his position in the House of Commons before officially being sworn in as an MSP.

5. 5. Professor Stephen Gethins, Dundee City East - 8,177

Dundee is known as “Yes City”, one of the few places in Scotland to vote in favour of independence back in the 2014 referendum. The SNP has dominated politics in this city ever since, and 2026 has been no exception. Stephen Gethins, who is also the MP for Arbroath and Broughty Ferry, made the leap from Westminster to Holyrood with a majority of 8,177. He secured 12,696 votes, putting him ahead of Labour’s Cheryl-Ann Cruickshank on 4,792. He had big boots to fill - in 2021 former finance secretary Shona Robison held this seat with a majority of 13,337. Professor Gethins will have to resign his position in the House of Commons before officially being sworn in as an MSP. | Local Library

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Senior SNP politician Jenny Gilruth managed to secure her seat of Mid Fife and Glenrothes with a majority of 7,634. This is down from the 10,234 majority she won back in 2021, but was comfortably ahead of Reform UK’s Sacha Haworth in second place on 4,827.

6. 6. Jenny Gilruth, Mid Fife and Glenrothes - 7,634

Senior SNP politician Jenny Gilruth managed to secure her seat of Mid Fife and Glenrothes with a majority of 7,634. This is down from the 10,234 majority she won back in 2021, but was comfortably ahead of Reform UK’s Sacha Haworth in second place on 4,827. | Euan Cherry/Press Association

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Alyn Smith was one of a number of former MPs hoping to continue a career in frontline politics by winning a Holyrood seat - and he did it in style, securing a majority of 7,442. Mr Smith now becomes the MSP for Stirling after winning 13,608 votes, comfortably ahead of Stephen Kerr from the Scottish Conservatives in second place on 6,166. Mr Kerr managed to secure a list seat for Mid Scotland and Fife and will join Mr Smith in parliament.

7. 7. Alyn Smith, Stirling - 7,442

Alyn Smith was one of a number of former MPs hoping to continue a career in frontline politics by winning a Holyrood seat - and he did it in style, securing a majority of 7,442. Mr Smith now becomes the MSP for Stirling after winning 13,608 votes, comfortably ahead of Stephen Kerr from the Scottish Conservatives in second place on 6,166. Mr Kerr managed to secure a list seat for Mid Scotland and Fife and will join Mr Smith in parliament. | Robert Perry/Press Association

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Jamie Hepburn is no stranger to controversies, having been thrown out of the last government over allegations of an assault in parliament against former Conservative leader Douglas Ross. That has not stopped the public backing him, however. He held onto his seat of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth with a majority of 7,315. This is down from the 9,841 majority he won back in 2021, but is comfortably ahead of James McPhilemy from the Scottish Conservatives on 6,472.

8. 8. Jamie Hepburn, Cumbernauld and Kilsyth - 7,315

Jamie Hepburn is no stranger to controversies, having been thrown out of the last government over allegations of an assault in parliament against former Conservative leader Douglas Ross. That has not stopped the public backing him, however. He held onto his seat of Cumbernauld and Kilsyth with a majority of 7,315. This is down from the 9,841 majority he won back in 2021, but is comfortably ahead of James McPhilemy from the Scottish Conservatives on 6,472. | Andrew Milligan/Press Association

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