Story perspectives

SNP's Hannah Goodlad Wins Shetland Seat, Ends Lib Dem Rule

5/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

SNP candidate Hannah Mary Goodlad won the Shetland Holyrood seat with 5,453 votes (47.5% share).
Liberal Democrat Emma Macdonald placed second with 3,936 votes (34.3% share), a 14.3-point drop, as turnout reached 64% of 11,484 voters.
Goodlad’s victory ends Liberal Democrat control of the seat since 1999 and gives the SNP its first MSP in Shetland.

History

Historical Context

The Scottish Parliament, created after the 11 September 1997 devolution referendum, held its first election on 6 May 1999, establishing the separate Shetland constituency where Liberal Democrat Tavish Scott won the seat. The party secured 17 seats overall in that inaugural parliament, but in the 2024 election SNP candidate Hannah Mary Goodlad captured Shetland, ending the Liberal Democrat hold and signalling growing SNP influence on Scotland’s outer islands.

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Story summary

SNP candidate Hannah Mary Goodlad won the Shetland Holyrood seat with 5,453 votes (47.5% share).
Liberal Democrat Emma Macdonald placed second with 3,936 votes (34.3% share), a 14.3-point drop, as turnout reached 64% of 11,484 voters.
Goodlad’s victory ends Liberal Democrat control of the seat since 1999 and gives the SNP its first MSP in Shetland.

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