It was a close-run thing but ultimately the SNP and Siobhian Brown came out on top in the election for the Ayr constituency.

Around 5.30pm on Friday (May 7) it was confirmed that Brown had beaten John Scott of the Conservatives by just 170 votes to turn the region yellow for the very first time.

And in Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, Elena Whitham, taking over from Jeane Freeman who has retired from government, held the seat for the SNP pretty comfortably, beating Sharon Dowey of the Conservatives by 4,517 votes.

The Ayr constituency was a big target-seat for the SNP, with only 750 votes separating them and the Conservative’s at the 2016 Scottish Parliament elections. To win it they had to oust the long-serving John Scott, who had been the MSP for the region for 21 years since winning a by-election in 2000.

On the day of the count both the SNP and Conservative election agents were talking up their chances, but the number of ballot papers piling up in each of their boxes appeared to be even right up until the end. The venue of the count, the Citadel Leisure Centre, was set up differently to how it would have been pre-COVID, candidates, their teams, and the media, were separated from those counting the votes by wooden and perspex structures designed to reduce the transmission of coronavirus.

Ayr Advertiser: The Citadel in Ayr where the count was held.The Citadel in Ayr where the count was held.

With the SNP’s narrow victory confirmed by the returning officer Eileen Howat, John Scott was offered a chance to check the ballot papers for errors, given that the margin was so tight.

This delayed the official announcement by about an hour as Scott rifled through bundles of ballots, but ultimately, he was satisfied that the counting had been done properly and declined to call a recount.

Upon being elected Siobhian Brown told the Advertiser: “I feel excited, I’m feeling a bit exhausted because it’s been a nerve-wracking day, but no I’m really excited that we’ve made history today in Ayr. It’s been worth all the dramas of the COVID restrictions and the campaign.

Asked what this result means for any potential independence referendum, she said: “I think this is positive for the independence movement, I think you know but our priority at the moment has to be COVID recovery.

“We’re going through a pandemic and nobody wants to have a referendum in the middle of a pandemic. We saw how difficult today’s election was so the first thing is the COVID recovery and I think then when the time is right and if people decide that they want to have a referendum to decide the future of Scotland then it’s up to the people of Scotland to decide that.

“I will work hard for them [the people of Ayr, Prestwick, and Troon] I will represent them to the best of my ability and I’m really hoping that with the SNP in government that I’ll be able to bring investment to the area,which probably opposition MSPs haven’t been able to do before because they haven’t been in power.”

The out-going John Scott spoke on the podium after the results were announced, thanking the people of Ayr, Prestwick and Troon for their support over the years and wishing his successor well.

He said: “Today marks a turning point as Siobhian Brown becomes the new MSP for Ayr. In becoming the MSP for Ayr constituency, I wish her well and I wish her strength, she’ll need it.

“But nonetheless, I wish her every success.”

The Cumnock, Carrick and Doon Valley results didn’t come in until the following day. It was around 2.30pm when the result was declared by returning officer Eddie Fraser.

Ayr Advertiser: Whitham and husband Les.Whitham and husband Les.

Upon being elected Elena Whitham said: “What an honour to be elected as MSP for the wonderful constituency of Carrick, Cumnock and Doon Valley, a diverse and dynamic corner of Scotland, that is known for its coastal beauty, rural splendour and industrious towns and villages.... It’s a privilege to be able to represent it at Holryood and to take the baton from the amazing force of nature that is Jeane Freeman.

“I’d like to pay tribute to my fellow candidates for running such a positive campaign. And it’s worth noting that we have an all female ballot, that’s a very rare thing, and it’s a beautiful thing...

“I was very pleased and a wee bit emotional to see all the young voters out to cast their first ballot papers. Thank you to everyone who placed their trust in me, and all those who voted for another party, please be assured that I will work just as hard for you.”