The SNP gained this seat from the Conservatives by the smallest of margins in 2021. She won 18,881 votes and 43.5 per cent of the vote to Tory John Scott’s 18,711. Mr Scott had held the Ayr seat since 2000. Ms Brown, who is now the government’s community safety minister, is standing for re-election in this seat. placeholder image
The SNP gained this seat from the Conservatives by the smallest of margins in 2021. She won 18,881 votes and 43.5 per cent of the vote to Tory John Scott’s 18,711. Mr Scott had held the Ayr seat since 2000. Ms Brown, who is now the government’s community safety minister, is standing for re-election in this seat. | Lisa Ferguson/National World

Scottish Parliament election 2026: The 10 MSPs with the smallest majorities - including Jackie Baillie

Rachel Amery
By Rachel Amery

Political Correspondent

Published 1st Jul 2025, 14:36 GMT

We take a look at which MSPs are sitting the smallest majorities as Scotland looks to the 2026 Holyrood election.

With less than a year to go until the 2026 Scottish Parliament election, parties are already putting up a fight to win seats.

In 2021, the SNP became the largest party and formed government - but some of their MSPs only narrowly managed to secure a win.

The Steamie newsletter brings unrivalled political analysis - subscribe here

Others from Labour, the Conservatives and the Lib Dems also came away with paper-thin majorities.

The Scotsman takes a look at which MSPs are clinging on to the tightest majorities and are going into an election year in a precarious position.

Veteran Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw increased the party’s vote share by 6.2 per cent to win this seat with 41.9 per cent of the vote. The former Scottish Conservative leader has been an MSP since 2007 and has represented Eastwood since 2016. He is standing for re-election next year - the SNP, who came second in this seat in 2021, are standing former MP Kirsten Oswald here.

9. 9. Jackson Carlaw, Eastwood - 2,216

Veteran Conservative MSP Jackson Carlaw increased the party’s vote share by 6.2 per cent to win this seat with 41.9 per cent of the vote. The former Scottish Conservative leader has been an MSP since 2007 and has represented Eastwood since 2016. He is standing for re-election next year - the SNP, who came second in this seat in 2021, are standing former MP Kirsten Oswald here. Photo: submitted

Photo Sales
Social Care Minister Maree Todd held onto the most northerly mainland seat with 43.1 per cent of the vote. However the Lib Dems have already explicitly set out their desire to win this seat in 2026. The Lib Dems came second here in 2021 and since 2017 the area has voted Lib Dem in Westminster elections.

10. 10. Maree Todd, Caithness, Sutherland and Ross - 2,591

Social Care Minister Maree Todd held onto the most northerly mainland seat with 43.1 per cent of the vote. However the Lib Dems have already explicitly set out their desire to win this seat in 2026. The Lib Dems came second here in 2021 and since 2017 the area has voted Lib Dem in Westminster elections. | Andrew Milligan/Press Association

Photo Sales
Previous
3 / 3
Next Page
Related topics:SNPElectionMSPsHolyroodScottish ParliamentScottish Election 2026
Dare to be Honest
Follow us
© 2026 Iconic Media Group Ltd. All rights reserved.Cookie SettingsTerms and ConditionsPrivacy notice