Women top Scottish national Party's regional list

The Scottish National Party has announced its regional list candidates in the 2016 Scottish Parliament election.

Strathpeffer woman Maree Todd sits at the top of the Highlands and Islands regional list.

The NHS Highland pharmacist ran a close second for the SNP nomination in the Caithness, Sutherland and Ross Scottish Parliament seat to replace Rob Gibson next year.

She is now setting her sights on becoming the region’s next MSP.

SNP campaigner Laura Mitchell is number two on the list. She is the Moray Constituency organiser and was Angus Robertson’s campaign coordinator for the 2015 General Election. Laura currently works for Richard Lochhead MSP in his constituency office.

The number three spot has gone to the incumbent SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands, Michael Mackenzie.

Liz MacDonald, Nairn SNP councillor, is fourth on the list. The SNP’s deputy leader Richard Laird has made it to fifth place and the group’s SNP Group Whip and Convenor of Valuation Joint Board Ken Gowans has secured ninth place.

The percentage of female constituency candidates is now at 42 per cent – up from 28 per cent in 2011.

And of the 96 regional list nominees, 45 per cent are women – up from 26 per cent in 2011.

Commenting, SNP business convener Derek Mackay said: "The hard work starts now – and in the days, weeks and months leading up to polling day the SNP will do all we can to retain and build on the trust of people right across Scotland as we look to build on our record of delivery and success."

The full list

1. Maree Todd

2. Laura Mitchell

3. Michael Mackenzie

4 Elizabeth MacDonald

5 Richard Laird

6 Danus Skene

7 Angus MacLeod

8 Hugh Moodie

9 Ken Gowans

10 Donna Heddle

10 Antony Harrison

12 Muriel Cockburn

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