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SNP: The modern road to Independence                                         

The National Party of Scotland (NPS) was founded on 11 Feb. 1928, followed by the smaller Scottish Party in 1932. Their  amalgamation on 14 Dec. 1933 led to the establishment of the SCOTTISH NATIONAL PARTY. The  SNP was inaugurated on Saturday, 7 April 1934, at its  first  Annual Conference in St. Andrew's Hall  (now part of the Mitchell Library), Granville Street, Glasgow. The principal founders were John MacCormick,  Robert B. Cunninghame Graham, Roland E. Muirhead,  Prof. Andrew Dewar Gibb,  6th Duke of Montrose,  James Valentine,  novelist Compton Mackenzie, poets Hugh MacDiarmid (Christopher M. Grieve) and Lewis Spence, Florence Marian McNeill and the party's first leader, Sir Alexander MacEwen.    Picture (l-r): Duke of Montrose, Mackenzie, Graham, MacDiarmid, Valentine & MacCormick:  speakers  at the first public rally of the NPS in October 1928, also in St. Andrew's Hall. 

 

1934 (20 Apr.) - First SNP public meeting in the Central Hall, Tollcross, Edinburgh.

1934 - SNP headquarters opened in West Regent Street, Glasgow.

1935 (14 Nov.) - UK General Election. 8 candidates (1.1%). 

1936 (27 Jan.) - Combined Scottish Universities UK Parliamentary by-election. Prof. ANDREW DEWAR GIBB is 2nd with 31.1% of the vote.

1936 (20 Mar.) - ROBERT B. CUNNINGHAME GRAHAM, founder and first President of SNP, dead, aged 83.

1936 - Prof. ANDREW DEWAR GIBB is SNP Leader.  Succeeds Sir ALEXANDER MacEWEN.

1937 - SNP headquarters moves to 59 Elmbank Street, Glasgow.

1939 (12 Oct.) - St. Andrew's House, new Scottish Office HQ building, opened in Regent Road, Edinburgh.

1940 (10 Apr.) - Argyll UK Parliamentary by-election. WILLIAM POWER is 2nd with 37.2% of the vote.

1940 - WILLIAM POWER is SNP Leader.

1941 (3 May) - Police raid the homes of ROLAND E. MUIRHEAD at Lochwinnoch; ARTHUR DONALDSON at Lugton, Ayrshire (who was held without charge for 6 weeks); Prof. DOUGLAS YOUNG in Aberdeen; and MURIEL GIBSON in Glasgow. They were suspected of "subversive activities" because of their links to the pacifist Scottish Neutrality League, founded by Mr. Donaldson.                        

1941 (29 Jun.) - Sir ALEXANDER MacEWEN, SNP Leader 1934-36, dead, aged 66.

1942 (30 May) - Party splits.   Prof. DOUGLAS YOUNG is SNP Leader.  JOHN MacCORMICK (pictured) founds the Scottish Convention to campaign for Home Rule. 

1944 (17 Feb.) - Kirkcaldy UK Parliamentary by-election. Prof. DOUGLAS YOUNG is 2nd with 41.3% of the vote.

1945 (12 Apr.) - Dr. ROBERT McINTYRE gains the UK Parliamentary seat of Motherwell & Wishaw from Labour in a by-election, with 51.4% of the vote.

1945 - Prof. BRUCE WATSON is SNP Leader. He was an Aberdonian.

1945 (5 Jul.) - UK General Election. 8 candidates (1.2%). Dr. Robert McIntyre loses Motherwell & Wishaw.  AUSTIN WALKER is 3rd (5.3%) in Aberdeen North.

1947 (22 Mar.) - The Scottish Convention's first Scottish National Assembly, in Glasgow, is attended by more than 600 delegates. 

1947 - Dr. ROBERT McINTYRE is SNP Leader.

1948 (20 Mar.) - The second Scottish National Assembly produces A Blue Print for Scotland.

1949 (Apr.) - The National Covenant for Home Rule is drafted by a committee of the Scottish National Assembly at a hotel in Aberfoyle, Perthshire (now in Stirlingshire).   It read in part: "...we solemnly enter into this Covenant, whereby we pledge ourselves...to do everything in our power to secure for Scotland a Parliament with adequate legislative authority in Scottish affairs."

1949 (6 Aug.) - Wendy Wood founds the Scottish Patriots.

1949 (29 Oct.) - The National Covenant for Home Rule is launched at the third Scottish National Assembly, attended by 1,200, at the Assembly Hall in Edinburgh. Although the petition eventually attracted nearly 2 million signatures, it was dismissed by UK politicians, who said that only votes for a political party could be recognised. 

1950 (Feb.) - JOHN MacCORMICK elected as Rector of Glasgow University for three years.

1950 (23 Feb.) - UK General Election. 3 candidates (0.4%).

1950 (6 May) - The fourth Scottish National Assembly in Edinburgh.

1950 - ROLAND E. MUIRHEAD founds the Scottish National Congress, based in Elmbank Crescent, Glasgow. This is also the home of his Scottish Secretariat publishing operation (founded 1924).  The draft of A Constitution for Scotland is prepared with the assistance of Prof. ANDREW DEWAR GIBB.

1950 - First overseas branch organised in Sydney, Australia, by Angus Macdonald of North Uist.

1950 (25 Dec.) - The Stone of Destiny is removed from London's Westminster Abbey by four students led by Ian Hamilton, and taken to Scotland. It was left at Arbroath Abbey, from where it was hurriedly returned to London on 11 Apr. 1951.

1951 - The fifth Scottish National Assembly. The Scottish Convention is renamed the Scottish Covenant Association.

1951 (13 Jun.) - WILLIAM POWER, SNP Leader 1940-42, dead, aged 77.

1951 (25 Oct.) - UK General Election. 2 candidates (0.3%). 1934-1964 was a period of weakness for the SNP and fragmentation of the national movement.  In Aberdeen, Labour's domination in North and Conservatives/Labour in South persisted until the early 1990s, when the party finally managed to make its presence felt. 

1953 - Aberdeen SNP rooms opened at 10 Belmont Street.

1954 (20 Jan.) - 6th DUKE OF MONTROSE (James Graham), SNP founder, dead, aged 75.

1955 (3 Mar.) - LEWIS SPENCE, poet and SNP founder, dead, aged 80.

1955 (26 May) - UK General Election. 2 candidates (0.5%).

1955 - Members of a 55 Group of dissidents are expelled from the party. They later formed a short-lived "Nationalist Party of Scotland."

Picture (l-r):  James Halliday, William Wolfe, Dr. Robert McIntyre, Arthur Donaldson. Dec.1976.

1956 - JAMES HALLIDAY is SNP Leader.

1956 - Radio Free Scotland commences broadcasting on BBC TV's sound channel, later on the medium wave. GORDON WILSON (from 1960)  and DOUGLAS HENDERSON (1963) were "Directors of Programmes" until 1965.

1957 - Scottish Provisional Constituent Assembly is established by ROLAND E. MUIRHEAD.

1959 (8 Oct.) - UK General Election. 5 candidates (0.5%).   W.A. (SANDY) MILNE is 3rd (5.8%) in Aberdeen North.     

1960 - ARTHUR DONALDSON is SNP Leader.

1961 - SNP has 20 branches and about 2,000 members.

1961 (13 Oct.) - JOHN MacCORMICK, SNP founder, dead, aged 56.  The Scottish Covenant Association disbands.

1961 (9 Nov.) - Glasgow Bridgeton UK Parliamentary by-election. IAN MacDONALD is 3rd with 18.7% of the vote. 

1962 (21 Apr) - Scottish Provisional Constituent Assembly, attended by 108 delegates, meets in Edinburgh and prepares A Draft Constitution for an Independent Scotland. The Assembly only met once.

1962 - Ian MacDonald is appointed as National Organiser. Holds meetings and forms branches throughout the country.

1962 (14 Jun.) - West Lothian UK Parliamentary by-election. WILLIAM WOLFE is 2nd with 23.3% of the vote.

1963 -  New SNP logo, a stylised combination of the Saltire and thistle, is adopted. First used in the West Lothian by-election, it was designed by Julian Gibb, and replaced the traditional Lion Rampant-&-Saltire shield previously favoured by the party. 

1964 (2 Aug.) - ROLAND E. MUIRHEAD, SNP founder, dead, aged 96.

1964 (15 Oct.) - UK General Election. 15 candidates (2.4%).   JOHN B. REID is 3rd (7.5%) in Aberdeen South.   BRUCE COCKIE is 4th (6.3%) in Aberdeenshire East.

1965 (15 Feb.) - Rosemary Hall is appointed Public Relations Secretary, based in a small press office in the SNP rooms (now the SNP Club) at 16 North Saint Andrew Street, Edinburgh. 

1965 (29 Sep.) - SNP's first 5-minute Party Political Broadcast on BBC TV. Given by WILLIAM WOLFE and watched by 1,250,000.

1965 (29 Nov.) - The first 5-minute radio broadcast is given by ARTHUR DONALDSON.  5,000 new members gained.

1966 (31 Mar.) - UK General Election. 23 candidates (5.0%).   Aberdeen seats not contested.    BRUCE COCKIE is 4th (8.9%) in Aberdeenshire East.

1966 (Jun.) - SNP has an estimated membership of 25,000, rising to 42,000  (in 190 branches) by the end of the year.

1967 (9 Mar.) - Glasgow Pollok UK Parliamentary by-election. GEORGE LESLIE is 3rd with 28.3% of the vote. 

1967 (3 May) -  Local Government Elections.  170 cllrs. (24.2%).   SNP gains control of Stirling, where Dr. ROBERT McINTYRE  becomes Provost for eight years.  Aberdeen: no cllrs.                                                                                         

1967 (Jun.) - 1320 Club extremist group is founded, and proscribed by the SNP.  

1967 (2 Nov.) - WINIFRED EWING gains the UK Parliamentary seat of Hamilton from Labour in a by-election, with 46.1% of the vote. 

1968 (8 May) - Local Government Elections. 107 cllrs. (34%).  Gordon Murray  becomes  Provost of Cumbernauld.   Aberdeen: 1 cllr., ALEX McDONALD (St. Clements).

1968 (31 May-2 Jun.) - Annual National Conference, at the Beach Ballroom, Aberdeen.  Now a 3-day event. 1,200 attend, a huge increase on previous Conferences.

1968 - SNP has 484 branches. 120,000 membership cards are purchased from party HQ, but the true membership figure is probably 65,000-70,000.  

1969 (7 May) - Local Government Elections.     cllrs. (22%).   Aberdeen: no cllrs.

1969 (31 May) - WILLIAM WOLFE is SNP Leader.

1969 - SNP headquarters moves from Glasgow to 14a Manor Place, Edinburgh.

1969 (14 Sep.) - Discovery of the Montrose oilfield (later renamed Arbroath) in the Scottish sector of the North Sea.

1970 (1 Jan.) - Voting age lowered from 21 to 18.

1970 (6 May) - Local Government Elections.           Aberdeen: no cllrs.

1970 (18 Jun.) - UK General Election. 65 candidates (11.4%) and one MP. DONALD STEWART (Western Isles). Winifred Ewing loses Hamilton.   Abdn. North: JOHN McKENNA.   Abdn. South: BRUCE COCKIE.

1971 (16 Sep.) - Stirling & Falkirk Burghs UK Parliamentary by-election. Dr. ROBERT McINTYRE is 2nd with 34.6% of the vote.

1972 (Sep.) - It's Scotland's Oil campaign launched.                       

1972 (30 Nov.) - Sir COMPTON MacKENZIE, novelist and SNP founder, dead, aged 89.

1973 (1 Jan.) - UK and Ireland join the European Economic Community (EEC).

1973 (22 Feb.) - FLORENCE MARIAN McNEILL, SNP founder, dead, aged 87.

1973 (1 Mar.) - Dundee East UK Parliamentary by-election. GORDON WILSON is 2nd with 30.2% of the vote.

1973 (23 Oct.) - Prof. DOUGLAS YOUNG, SNP Leader 1942-45, dead, aged 60.

1973 (8 Nov.) - MARGO MacDONALD gains the UK Parliamentary seat of Glasgow Govan from Labour in a by-election, with 41.9% of the vote.

1974 (24 Jan.) - Prof. ANDREW DEWAR GIBB, SNP Leader 1936-40, dead, aged 85.

1974 (28 Feb.) - UK General Election.   70 candidates (21.9%) and 7 MPs.    DOUGLAS HENDERSON  (Aberdeenshire East);  IAIN MacCORMICK (Argyll); HAMISH WATT (Banffshire); GORDON WILSON (Dundee East); WINIFRED EWING (Moray & Nairn); GEORGE REID (Stirlingshire East & Clackmannan)  and DONALD STEWART   (Western Isles).  Margo MacDonald loses Glasgow Govan.            Abdn. North: JIM McGUGAN.   Abdn. South: SANDY STRONACH.

1974 (7 May) - Regional Elections.  18 cllrs. (12.6%).  Aberdeen: no cllrs.

1974 (7 May) - District Elections.  62 cllrs. (12.4%). Aberdeen: no cllrs.  New cllrs. to assume office on 16 May 1975.

1974 (10 Oct.) - UK General Election. 71 candidates (30.4%)  and 11 MPS. Holds 7 seats and gains: ANDREW WELSH (Angus South); MARGARET BAIN (Dunbartonshire East);   GEORGE THOMPSON  (Galloway)  and  DOUGLAS CRAWFORD   (Perth & East Perthshire).        Abdn. North: JIM McGUGAN.    Abdn. South: SANDY STRONACH.      Picture (l-r): Crawford, Reid, Wilson, Henderson, Ewing, Stewart, Bain, Watt, MacCormick, Welsh, Thompson.

1975 (23 Apr.) - TOM H. GIBSON, SNP President 1950-58, dead, aged 81. He was a co-founder of the Scots Independent in Nov. 1926.

1975 (16 May) - Regional & District Councils replace county, city and town councils.

1975 (5 Jun.) - EEC Referendum, which asked if the UK should remain a member of the European Economic Community.  In Scotland, YES vote: 1,332,186 (58.4%). NO vote: 948,039 (41.6%).

1976 (28 May) - Oliver Brown, noted scholar, patriot and orator, dead, aged 73. Famous for his quote that the 1967 Hamilton by-election result had "caused a shiver to run along the Scottish Labour benches looking for a spine to run up" and his description of the BBC as the "Anglo-Saxophone."  

1976 (Nov.) - Scotland & Wales Bill is published by UK Government, but fails in Feb. 1977.

1976 (Dec.) - SNP headquarters moves to 6 North Charlotte Street, Edinburgh.

1977 (Feb.) - John McAteer, National Organiser 1968-77, dead, aged 44.

1977 (9 May) - District Elections. 170 cllrs. (24.2%).   Aberdeen: 2 cllrs., GORDON MORRIS (Middlefield) and DONALD HASTON (Willowpark).                                        

1977 (27 May) - The first draft of A Constitution for a Free Scotland is agreed.

1977 (16 Jun.) - Scotland Bill  replaces Scotland & Wales Bill.

1978 - Siol nan Gaidheal extremist group is founded by Tom Moore, and absorbs the earlier 1320 Club. 

1978 (2 May) -  Regional Elections. 18 cllrs. (20.9%).  Aberdeen: no cllrs.

1978 (31 Jul.) - Scotland Act is passed by the UK Government. It provided for a Referendum on a "Scottish Assembly", but also included a wrecking amendment, sponsored by George Cunningham, a Scottish Labour MP: "If less than 40% of the total electorate vote, or if any overall majority voting 'Yes' is less than two-thirds of all votes cast, the Secretary of State shall deem the legislation to be null and void." 

1978 (9 Sep.) - HUGH MacDIARMID (Christopher M. Grieve), poet and SNP founder, dead, aged 86.

1979 (1 Mar.) - Devolution Referendum. YES vote: 1,230,937 (51.6%). NO vote: 1,153,500 (48.4%). A majority had clearly voted in favour of a Scottish Assembly. However, the turnout of 63.8% was only 32.9% of the total registered electorate, which did not meet the rigged threshold demanded by the "40% rule".  The result ultimately led to the UK Labour Government's defeat in a vote of no confidence.

1979 (3 May) - UK General Election. 71 candidates (17.3%) and 2 MPs. GORDON WILSON (Dundee East) and DONALD STEWART (Western Isles).  Abdn. North: MAUREEN WATT.   Abdn. South: SANDY STRONACH.

1979  (31 May) - 79 Group formed with the aim of redefining the SNP as a socialist republican party.  

1979 - Aberdeen South SNP closes its rooms at 10 Belmont Street.

1979 (7 Jun.) - European Elections. 8 candidates (19.4%) and 1 MEP. WINIFRED EWING (Highlands & Islands).

1979 (26 Jul.) - Scotland Act is repealed by UK Government.

1979 (15 Sep.) - GORDON WILSON is SNP Leader.

1980 (Apr.) - Campaign for a Scottish Assembly launched. Led by Jack Brand, and later by Jim Boyack, Alan Armstrong and Isobel Lindsay.

1980 (2 May) - District Elections.  54 cllrs. (15.5%).  Aberdeen: no cllrs.

1980 (May) - JIM SILLARS, (pictured) former Labour MP, joins the SNP. Like ALEX NEIL, he had been a member of the short-lived (1976-1981) but genuinely Scottish Labour Party.

1981 (28-30 May) - Annual National Conference, at the Music Hall, Aberdeen. Some 79 Group members, including JIM SILLARS, win internal party elections.

1981 (  Jun.) - Wendy Wood, Scottish Patriot, dead, aged 89.

1981 (3 Sep.) - Keep the Royal Bank Scottish campaign. Members picket bank branches in a successful bid to prevent takeover of RBS by HSBC or Standard Chartered Bank.

1982 (Mar.) - Aberdeen South SNP office opened at 78 Menzies Road, Torry.

1982 (6 May) - Regional Elections.  23 cllrs. (13.4%).  Aberdeen: no cllrs.

1982 (3-5 Jun.) - Annual National Conference, in Ayr. Delegates vote substantially for the immediate disbanding of the 79 Group, Siol nan Gaidheal and other organised factions within the party.

1983 (Mar.) - Radical Scotland magazine launched by Alan Lawson.

1983 (9 Jun.) - UK General Election. 72 candidates (11.7%) and 2 MPs. GORDON WILSON (Dundee East) and DONALD STEWART (Western Isles).   Abdn. North: JIM McGUGAN.   Abdn. South: SAM COULL. 

1983 (29 Sep.-1 Oct.) - Annual National Conference, in Rothesay. The first to be regularly held in late Sep.-early Oct.

1984 (4 May) - District Elections.  59 cllrs. (11.7%).  Aberdeen: no cllrs.

1984 (2 Jun.) - National Council at Harlaw Academy, Albyn Place, Aberdeen.

1984 (14 Jun.) - European Elections. 8 candidates (17.8%) and 1 MEP. WINIFRED EWING (Highlands & Islands).

1984 (Nov.) - HAMISH WATT, Banffshire MP 1974-79, elected as Rector of Aberdeen University for three years.

1985 (7 Apr.) - Willie MacRae, former Vice-Chairman, dead, aged 61. He was found in his car, with a gunshot wound to the head, off the A87 where it passes Loch Loyne in the Highlands. The true circumstances of his death are disputed. 

1985 (May) - Save the Scottish TSB campaign. Members picket bank branches in an unsuccessful bid to prevent the takeover of the Trustee Savings Bank (Scotland) by Lloyds Bank.

1986 ( 1 May) - Regional Elections. 36 cllrs. (18.2%).  Grampian Regional Council: Alliance-SNP-Ind. becomes ruling coalition. Aberdeen: no cllrs.

1987 (11 Jun.) - UK General Election. 72 candidates (14%) and 3 MPs. ANDREW WELSH (Angus East); ALEX SALMOND (Banff & Buchan) (pictured) and MARGARET EWING (Moray).      Abdn. North: PHILIP GREENHORN.  Abdn. South: MICHAEL WEIR.

1988 (5 May) - District Elections.  113 cllrs. (21.3%).  Aberdeen: 1 cllr., BRIAN ADAM (Middlefield).

1988 (6 Jul.) - Campaign for a Scottish Assembly  publishes A Claim of Right for Scotland. It's main author was Jim Ross, a retired Scottish Office civil servant.

1988 (10 Nov.) - JIM SILLARS gains the UK Parliamentary seat of Glasgow Govan from Labour in a by-election, with 48.4% of the vote.

1989 (27 Jan.) - A proposed Scottish Constitutional Convention will not have SNP participation due to the refusal of Labour's Donald Dewar to discuss an Independence in Europe option.

1989 (30 Mar.) - Scottish Constitutional Convention's Claim of Right is signed by 58 Labour and Liberal MPs, and other (mainly unionist) politicians, at the Assembly Hall in the Mound, Edinburgh. Canon Kenyon Wright, who became the Convention's chairman, is famous for his quote:"What if that other voice we know so well responds by saying 'We say No and we are the state?' Well, we say Yes and we are the people!" 

1989 (1 Apr.) - UK Government levies a new Community Charge, or Poll Tax, in Scotland -- one year ahead of England & Wales. 

1989 (15 Jun.) - European Elections. 8 candidates (25.6%) and 1 MEP. WINIFRED EWING (Highlands & Islands).

1990 (3 May) - Regional Elections.  42 cllrs. (21.8%).  Aberdeen: no cllrs. 

1990 (3 May) - PHILIP GREENHORN gains Springhill ward from Labour in Aberdeen District Council by-election.

1990 (22 Sep.) - ALEX SALMOND is SNP Leader.

1990 (4 Oct.) - Dick Douglas,, Labour MP for Dunfermline West, joins SNP.

1990 (Nov.) - Radical Scotland magazine ceases publication.

1990 (16 Nov.) - Colin Bell, Vice-Chairman 1978-84, elected as Rector of Aberdeen University for three years.

1991 (23 Apr.) - UK Government says that the Poll Tax will be replaced by a new Council Tax in 1993.

1991 - Substantially revised draft of A Constitution for a Free Scotland (1977) is agreed.

1991 (7 Nov.) - Kincardine & Deeside UK Parliamentary by-election. ALLAN MACARTNEY is 3rd with 11.1% of the vote.

1992 (18 Jan.) - Party leaders take part in Scotland Decides debate, attended by 2,500, in Usher Hall, Edinburgh.

1992 (9 Apr.) - UK General Election. 72 candidates (21.5%) and 3 MPS. ANDREW WELSH (Angus East); ALEX SALMOND (Banff & Buchan) and MARGARET EWING (Moray).  Jim Sillars loses Glasgow Govan.   Abdn. North: JIM McGUGAN.  Abdn. South: JAMES DAVIDSON. 

1992 (10 Apr.) - Democracy for Scotland group commences its Vigil for a Scottish Parliament at foot of Calton Hill, Edinburgh. The vigil ended on 12 Sep. 1997.

1992 (12 Apr.) - Scotland United rally in George Square, Glasgow is attended by 5,000. The cross-party group called for a multi-option referendum on the future government of Scotland.

1992 (8 May) - District Elections. 150 cllrs. (24.3%). Aberdeen: 2 cllrs., BRIAN ADAM (Middlefield) and PHILIP GREENHORN (Springhill).

1992 (May) - NORMAN IRONS is the first SNP Lord Provost of Edinburgh. His term lasts four years.

1992 (23 Aug.) - DONALD STEWART, Western Isles MP 1974-87, dead, aged 71.

1992 (12 Dec.) - Scotland United's March for Democracy in Edinburgh is attended by 25,000. It was followed by a cross-party rally in the Meadows, calling for a referendum on a Scottish Parliament.  The event was held to coincide with an EU summit meeting in the capital, attended by European leaders.

1993 (8 Jan) - ARTHUR DONALDSON, SNP Leader 1960-69, dead, aged 91. 

1993 (Jan.) - Labour-SNP coalition rules Grampian Regional Council.

1993 (4 Nov.) - Ian Hamilton QC elected as Rector of Aberdeen University for three years.

1994 (5 May) - Regional Elections. 73 cllrs. (26.8%).   Grampian Regional Council: SNP-Lib. Dem. becomes ruling coalition.  Aberdeen: 1 cllr., MAUREEN WATT (Northfield).

1994 (9 Jun.) - European Elections. 8 candidates (32.6%) and 2 MEPs. WINIFRED EWING (Highlands & Islands) and ALLAN MACARTNEY (North-East Scotland).

1994 (27 Oct.) - GORDON McDONALD is elected as the last Convener of Grampian Regional Council.

1995 (6 Apr.) - Unitary Authority Elections. 181 cllrs. (26.1%). Aberdeen: 1 cllr., BRIAN ADAM (Middlefield & Heathryfold).  New councillors to assume office on 1 Apr. 1996.

1995 (25 May) - ROSEANNA CUNNINGHAM gains the UK Parliamentary seat of Perth & Kinross from the Conservatives in a by-election, with 40.4% of the vote.

1995 (18 Aug.) - Michael Grieve, Vice-Chairman (Publicity) 1969-72, dead, aged 63.

1995 (30 Nov.) - Scottish Constitutional Convention publishes its devolution blueprint Scotland's Parliament, Scotland's Right.   

1996 (1 Apr.) - Unitary Authority Councils replace Regional & District Councils.                  

1996 (1 Jul.) - Scottish Government Building, at Victoria Quay, Leith, opened by the Queen.       

1996 (4 Nov.) - Angus McGillveray, of Publications Dept., dead, aged 66.  He started Alba Pools in 1965.

1996 (Nov.) - ALLAN MACARTNEY (pictured), European MEP, elected as Rector of Aberdeen University. 

1996 (15 Nov.) - Stone of Destiny is returned to Scotland. After a handover ceremony at the border between representatives of the Home Office and the Scottish Office, the stone was transported to Edinburgh Castle on St. Andrew's Day and is now permanently housed there.

1997 (1 May) - UK General Election. 72 candidates (22.1%) and 6 MPs. ANDREW WELSH (Angus East); ALEX SALMOND (Banff & Buchan); ALASDAIR MORGAN (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale); MARGARET EWING (Moray); ROSEANNA CUNNINGHAM (Perth & Kinross) and JOHN SWINNEY (Tayside North).  Abdn. North: BRIAN ADAM.   Abdn. South: JIM TOWERS.   Abdn. Central: BRIAN TOPPING.

1997 (11 Sep.) - Devolution Referendum.    Scottish Parliament:-  YES vote: 1,775,045 (74.3%).    NO vote: 614,400 (25.7%). Tax-varying powers:- YES vote: 1,512,889 (63.5%). NO vote: 870,263 (36.5%).  Every Council Area voted in favour of first question.

1998 (6 Jan.) - Holyrood in Edinburgh is chosen as the site for the new Scottish Parliament building.

1998 (2 Feb.) - Dr. ROBERT McINTYRE, SNP Leader 1947-56, dead, aged 84.

1998 (6 Jul.) - Design by Catalan architect Enric Miralles is chosen for the Holyrood Parliament building. 

1998 (25 Aug.) - ALLAN MACARTNEY, Euro. MEP for North-East Scotland, dead, aged 57.

1998 (17 Nov.) - Scotland Act is passed by UK Government.  

1998 (26 Nov.) - IAN HUDGHTON wins by-election for European Parliament's North-East Scotland constituency with 48.0% of the vote.

1999 (9 Feb.) - Bruce Cockie, Aberdeen activist and Area Organiser for NE and Highlands in the 1950s and 60s, dead, aged 73.

1999 (6 May) - Scottish Parliamentary Election.  73 candidates (28.7%) and 7 Constituency MSPs: Andrew Welsh (Angus), Alex Salmond (Banff & Buchan), Alasdair Morgan (Galloway & Upper Nithsdale), Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber), Margaret Ewing (Moray), Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) and John Swinney (Tayside North). Also 28 Regional List MSPs (27.3%): North-East: Brian Adam, Richard Lochhead, Irene McGugan and Shona Robison. Highlands & Islands: Winifred Ewing & Duncan Hamilton. West: Colin Campbell, Fiona McLeod, Lloyd Quinan & Kay Ullrich. Glasgow: Dorothy-Grace Elder, Kenneth Gibson, Nicola Sturgeon & Sandra White. Central:  Linda Fabiani, Michael Matheson, Alex Neil, Gil Paterson & Andrew Wilson. Mid & Fife: Bruce Crawford, Tricia Marwick & George Reid. Lothian: Fiona Hyslop, Kenny MacAskill & Margo MacDonald. South: Christine (Creech) Grahame, Adam Ingram & Michael Russell, Total: 7+28= 35. Abdn. North: BRIAN ADAM. Abdn. Central: RICHARD LOCHHEAD. Abdn. South: IRENE McGUGAN. Labour and Liberal Democrats form the "Scottish Executive" with Donald Dewar as the First Minister.  Leader of the Opposition: Alex Salmond (SNP).  Presiding Officer: Sir David Steel.

1999 (6 May) - Local Government Elections.  204 cllrs. (28.9%). Aberdeen: 3 cllrs., KEVIN STEWART (Auchmill) (Group Leader), MURIEL JAFFRAY (Donmouth) and KAREN SHIRRON (Springhill).

1999 (12 May) - Scottish Parliament is convened at the Assembly Hall (of the Church of Scotland)  in the Mound, Edinburgh. WINIFRED EWING, it's oldest member, chairs the first meeting and begins with the words: "The Scottish Parliament, adjourned on the 25th day of March in the year 1707, is hereby reconvened."

1999 (26 May) - James Braid, Vice-Chairman 1966-69 and Provost of St. Monans, dead, aged 87. During the 1960s, he and fellow Fifer, Dr. James C. Lees, travelled throughout the country setting up new SNP branches.

1999 (May) - Construction of the new Parliament Building at Holyrood, Edinburgh begins.

1999 (10 Jun.) - European Elections. 8 candidates (27.2%) and 2 MEPs. IAN HUDGHTON and NEIL MacCORMICK.

1999 (1 Jul.) - Scottish Parliament is officially opened by the Queen at the Assembly Hall, Edinburgh. 

2000 (15-17 May) - Scottish Parliament meets at the former Strathclyde Regional Council debating chamber in Holland Street, Glasgow.

2000 - SNP headquarters moves to 107 McDonald Road, Edinburgh.

2000 (17 Jul.) - ALEX SALMOND to step down as SNP Leader in Sep. and from the Scottish Parliament in Jun. 2001.   

2000 (23 Sep.) - JOHN SWINNEY (pictured) is SNP Leader and will lead the Opposition at Holyrood.  

2000 (11 Oct.) - Donald Dewar, First Minister, dead. 

2000 (27 Oct.) - Henry McLeish is First Minister.

2001 (7 Jun.) - UK General Election. 72 candidates (20.1%) and 5 MPs. MICHAEL WEIR (Angus), ALEX SALMOND (Banff & Buchan), ANGUS ROBERTSON (Moray), ANNABELLE EWING (Perth) and PETE WISHART (Tayside North). Abdn. North: ALASDAIR ALLAN.  Abdn. South: IAN ANGUS.  Abdn. Central: WAYNE GAULT.

2001 (7 Jun.) - STEWART STEVENSON wins by-election for Scottish Parliamentary seat of Banff & Buchan, with 49.6% of the vote.

2001 (8 Jun.) - Dr. James C. Lees, Vice-Chairman 1966-70 and pathologist, dead, aged 88. In the 1960s, he and fellow Fifer, Provost James Braid, travelled throughout the country setting up new SNP branches.

2001 (22 Nov.) - Jack McConnell is First Minister. Succeeds Henry McLeish.

2002 (17 Apr.) - DOUGLAS CRAWFORD, Perth & East Perthshire MP 1974-79, dead, aged 62.

2002 (28-30 May) - Scottish Parliament meets at King's College Conference Centre in Aberdeen, attended by the Queen. This was the first time a Parliament had met in full session in the city.

2002 (26 Sep.) - Final draft of A Constitution for a Free Scotland (1977) is agreed.

2002 (9 Nov.) - Neil MacCallum, National Secretary 1981-86, dead, aged 48.

2003 (1 May) - Scottish Parliamentary Election. 73 candidates (23.8%) and 9 Constituency MSPs: Brian Adam* (Aberdeen North), Andrew Welsh (Angus), Stewart Stevenson (Banff & Buchan), Shona Robison* (Dundee East), Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber), Margaret Ewing (Moray), George Reid (Ochil), Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) and John Swinney (Tayside North). *=gains from Labour. Also 18 Regional List MSPs (20.9%): North-East: Richard Lochhead. Highlands & Islands: Rob Gibson & Jim Mather. West: Bruce McFee, Campbell Martin & Stewart Maxwell. Glasgow: Nicola Sturgeon & Sandra White. Central: Linda Fabiani, Michael Matheson & Alex Neil. Mid & Fife: Bruce Crawford & Tricia Marwick. Lothian: Fiona Hyslop & Kenny MacAskill. South: Christine Grahame, Adam Ingram & Alasdair Morgan. Total: 9+18= 27. Abdn. South: MAUREEN WATT. Abdn. Central: RICHARD LOCHHEAD. Labour and Liberal Democrats coalition continues to  govern as the "Scottish Executive", with Jack McConnell as First Minister.  Leader of the Opposition: John Swinney (SNP).   Presiding Officer: George Reid.

2003 (1 May) - Local Government Elections. 181 cllrs. (24.1%). Aberdeen: 6 cllrs., KEVIN STEWART (Auchmill) (Group Leader), MURIEL JAFFRAY (Donmouth), KAREN SHIRRON (Springhill), ANDY MAY (Sunnybank), JIM KIDDIE (Tullos) and ALAN GOWERS (Woodside & Tillydrone),

2004 - Aberdeen South SNP sells its office at 78 Menzies Road, Torry.

2004 (23-24 Apr.) - Spring Conference at Exhibition & Conference Centre, Aberdeen.

2004 (10 Jun.) - European Elections. 7 candidates (19.7%) and 2 MEPs. IAN HUDGHTON and ALYN SMITH.

2004 (22 Jun.) - JOHN SWINNEY resigns as SNP Leader.

2004 (30 Aug.) - Michael Murgatroyd, National Treasurer 1970-83, dead, aged 79.

2004 (3 Sep.) - ALEX SALMOND is elected SNP Leader by postal ballot of membership. NICOLA STURGEON is Deputy Leader.

2004 (7 Sep.) - Scottish Parliament meets in the debating chamber at Holyrood for the first time.

2004 (15 Sep.) - Fraser Inquiry report into the management of the Scottish Parliament building project is published.

2004 (9 Oct.) - Scottish Parliament building at Holyrood is officially opened by the Queen.

2005 (20 Apr.) - Jimmy Reid, who led the Clyde shipyard "work-in" in 1971-72, joins SNP.

2005 (5 May) - UK General Election.  59 candidates (17.7%) and 6 MPs. MICHAEL WEIR (Angus), ALEX SALMOND (Banff & Buchan), STEWART HOSIE* (Dundee East), ANGUS ROBERTSON (Moray), ANGUS MacNEIL* (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) and PETE WISHART (Perth & North Perthshire). *=gains from Labour.   Abdn. North: KEVIN STEWART.   Abdn. South: MAUREEN WATT.

2005 (21 Oct.) - Muriel Gibson, National Secretary 1971-72 and 1975-77, dead, aged 92.

2006 (21 Feb.) - Tom McAlpine, Vice-Chairman (Admin.) 1983-88, dead, aged 76.

2006 (21 Mar.) - MARGARET EWING, MSP for Moray, dead, aged 60.

2006 (19 Apr.) - MAUREEN WATT becomes Regional List MSP for North-East. Replaces RICHARD LOCHHEAD.

2006 (27 Apr.) - RICHARD LOCHHEAD wins by-election for Scottish Parliamentary seat of Moray, with 46.1% of the vote.

2006 (15 Sep.) - DOUGLAS HENDERSON, Aberdeenshire East MP 1974-79, dead, aged 71.

2006 (18 Sep.) - David Rollo, National Treasurer for 12 years, dead, aged 87.

2006 (27 Nov.) - Annie Knight, SNP founder member, dead, aged 111. She was born in Glasgow, but her family moved to Aberdeen when she was a child. At one time she was the oldest person in the UK.

2007 (27 Jan.) - Chrissie MacWhirter, National Secretary 1977-79, dead, aged 88.

2007 (Feb.) - the final cost of the Holyrood Parliament building is put at £414.4million.

2007 (3 May) - Scottish General Election.  73 candidates (32.9%) and 21 Constituency   MSPs: Brian Adam (Aberdeen North), Andrew Welsh (Angus), Jim Mather+ (Argyll & Bute), Stewart Stevenson (Banff & Buchan), Kenneth Gibson* (Cunninghame North), Shona Robison (Dundee East), Joe Fitzpatrick* (Dundee West), Kenny MacAskill* (Edinburgh East & Musselburgh), Michael Matheson* (Falkirk West), Tricia Marwick* (Fife Central), Nicola Sturgeon* (Glasgow Govan), Alex Salmond+ (Gordon), Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn & Lochaber), Willie Coffey* (Kilmarnock & Loudoun), Angela Constance* (Livingston), Richard Lochhead (Moray), Keith Brown (Ochil), Roseanna Cunningham (Perth), Bruce Crawford* (Stirling), John Swinney (Tayside North) and Alasdair Allan* (Western Isles). *=gains from Labour. +=gains from Liberal Democrats.

Also 26 Regional List MSPs (31%): North-East: Nigel Don & Maureen Watt (who becomes Minister for Schools & Skills). Highlands & Islands: Rob Gibson & Dave Thompson. West: Stuart McMillan, Stewart Maxwell, Gil Paterson & Bill Wilson. Glasgow: Bashir Ahmad, Bob Doris, Bill Kidd & Sandra White. Central: Linda Fabiani, Jamie Hepburn, Christina McKelvie, Alex Neil & John Wilson. Mid & Fife: Prof. Chris Harvie. Lothian: Fiona Hyslop,  Dr. Ian McKee & Stefan Tymkewycz. South: Aileen Campbell, Christine Grahame, Adam Ingram, Alasdair Morgan & Michael Russell.  Total: 21+26= 47.   ALEX  SALMOND is First Minister and NICOLA STURGEON  Deputy First Minister at head of minority Government. Cabinet Secretaries: Nicola Sturgeon (Health & Wellbeing),   John Swinney (Finance & Sustainable Growth), Kenny MacAskill (Justice), Fiona Hyslop (Education & Lifelong Learning) and Richard Lochhead (Rural Affairs & the Environment).       Abdn. Central: KAREN SHIRRON.      Abdn. South: MAUREEN WATT.   Leader of the Opposition: Jack McConnell (Labour).   Presiding Officer: Alex Fergusson.

2007 (3 May) - Local Government Elections. 437 candidates (29.7%) and 363 councillors. Aberdeen: 12 cllrs., KEVIN STEWART (Northfield) (Group Leader), MARK McDONALD (Dyce, Bucksburn & Danestone), MURIEL JAFFRAY (Bridge of Don), WENDY STUART (Kingswells & Sheddocksley), JACKIE DUNBAR (Northfield), KIRSTY WEST (Hilton & Stockethill), JIM NOBLE (Tillydrone, Seaton & Old Aberdeen), BILL CORMIE (Midstocket & Rosemount), ANDY MAY (George St. & Harbour), JOHN WEST (Hazlehead, Ashley & Queen's Cross), JIM KIDDIE (Torry & Ferryhill) and CALLUM McCAIG (Kincorth & Loirston). Elections were held using STV voting system. SNP enters into coalition with Liberal Democrat group. Kevin Stewart is Depute Council leader.  John West is Depute Provost.

2007 (17 Jun.) - JAMES VALENTINE, SNP founder, dead, aged 100.

2007 (26 Jun.) - Malcolm Slesser, writer, scientist and mountaineer, dead, aged 80.  He was born in Aberdeen.

2007 (14 Aug.) - Launch of National Conversation and publication of Choosing Scotland's Future.

2007 (16 Aug.) - JOHN CORALL wins by-election for the Midstocket & Rosemount ward of Aberdeen City Council. This was the first Local Government by-election to be held in Scotland using the STV voting system. 

2007 (31 Aug.) - STEFAN TYMKEWYCZ resigns as Regional List MSP for Lothian and is replaced by SHIRLEY-ANNE SOMERVILLE. 

2007 (3 Sep.) - The title of the national administration is formally changed to Scottish Government. It replaces the unionist-favoured "Scottish Executive".

2007 (14 Sep.) - Wendy Alexander is the Labour leader of the Opposition at Holyrood. Succeeds Jack McConnell.

2008 (4 Feb.) -  Scotland In The World forum at Aberdeen University, opened by the First Minister.

2008 (1 Apr.) - Large audience at University of Virginia, Charlottesville VA, USA, addressed by the First Minister.

2008 (23 Apr.) - First Minister speaks on National Conversation at Scotland House, Brussels.

2008 (24 Jul.) - JOHN MASON gains the UK Parliamentary seat of Glasgow East from Labour in a by-election, with 43.1% of the vote.

2008 (13 Sep.) - Iain Gray is the Labour leader of the Opposition at Holyrood.

2009 (15 Jan.) - Tom Chalmers, National Treasurer 1990-94, dead, aged 49.

2009 (6 Feb.) - BASHIR AHMAD, Regional List MSP for Glasgow, dead, aged 69. Replaced by ANNE McLAUGHLIN.

2009 (10 Feb.) - KEITH BROWN is Minister for Schools & Skills. Succeeds MAUREEN WATT.

2009 (23 Feb.) - First Minister meets with US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the State Department in Washington.

2009 (4 Apr.) - Sir NEIL MacCORMICK, law professor and MEP 1999-2004, dead, aged 67.

2009 (4 Jun.) - European Elections. 6 candidates (29.1%) and 2 MEPs, IAN HUDGHTON and ALYN SMITH. The first time the SNP had ever won a UK-wide election in Scotland.

2009 (1 Jul.) - SNP headquarters moves to Gordon Lamb House, 3 Jackson's Entry, Edinburgh.

2009 (18 Aug.) - Scottish Cabinet meets at Old Town House, Aberdeen. The First Minister later addressed an audience of 250 at a National Conversation event in nearby Elphinstone Hall.

2009 (30 Nov.) - White Paper entitled Your Scotland, Your Voice published as culmination to the National Conversation.

2009 (1 Dec.) - MICHAEL RUSSELL is Cabinet Secretary for Education & Lifelong Learning.  Succeeds FIONA HYSLOP.

2010 (4 Jan.) - Harry Rankin, National Treasurer 1965-66, dead, aged 77.

2010 (25 Feb.) - Draft Referendum Bill, on independence or additional powers for Scottish Parliament, published for public consultation.

2010 (18 Mar.) - WILLIAM WOLFE, SNP Leader 1969-79, dead, aged 86.

2010 (Mar.) - Independence magazine launched.

2010 (6 May) - UK General Election. 59 candidates (19.9%) and 6 MPs. MICHAEL WEIR (Angus), EILIDH WHITEFORD (Banff & Buchan), STEWART HOSIE (Dundee East), ANGUS ROBERTSON (Moray), ANGUS MacNEIL (Na h-Eileanan an Iar) and PETE WISHART (Perth & North Perthshire). John Mason loses Glasgow East.   Abdn. North: JOANNA STRATHDEE.   Abdn. South: MARK McDONALD.

2010 (24 Jul.) - aberdeensnp.org website goes online.

2010 (10 Aug.) - Jimmy Reid, who led the Clyde shipyard "work-in" in 1971-72, dead, aged 78.

2010 (7 Sep.) - Draft Referendum Bill withdrawn, due to opposition of unionist parties in Scottish Parliament.

2010 (30 Nov.) - Scotland Bill is published by UK Government.

2011 (5 May) - Scottish General Election. 73 candidates (45.4%) and 53 Constituency MSPs: Kevin Stewart* (Aberdeen Central), Brian Adam (Aberdeen Donside), Maureen Watt+ (Aberdeen South & North Kincardine), Alex Salmond (Aberdeenshire East), Dennis Robertson+ (Aberdeenshire West), Alex Neil* (Airdrie & Shotts), Angela Constance (Almond Valley), Nigel Don (Angus North & Mearns), Graeme Dey (Angus South), Michael Russell (Argyll & Bute), Stewart Stevenson (Banffshire & Buchan Coast), Rob Gibson+ (Caithness, Sutherland & Ross), Adam Ingram* (Carrick, Cumnock & Doon Valley), Keith Brown (Clackmannanshire & Dunblane), Gil Paterson* (Clydebank & Milngavie), Aileen Campbell* (Clydesdale), Jamie Hepburn* (Cumbernauld & Kilsyth), Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North), Margaret Burgess* (Cunninghame South), Shona Robison (Dundee City East), Joe Fitzpatrick (Dundee City West), Bill Walker+ (Dunfermline), Linda Fabiani* (East Kilbride), Marco Biagi* (Edinburgh Central), Kenny MacAskill (Edinburgh Eastern), Gordon MacDonald< (Edinburgh Pentlands), Jim Eadie+ (Edinburgh Southern), Colin Keir+ (Edinburgh Western), Angus MacDonald* (Falkirk East), Michael Matheson (Falkirk West), Tricia Marwick (Fife,Mid & Glenrothes), Roderick Campbell+ (Fife North-East), Bill Kidd* (Glasgow Anniesland), James Dornan* (Glasgow Cathcart), Sandra White* (Glasgow Kelvin), John Mason* (Glasgow Shettleston), Nicola Sturgeon (Glasgow Southside), Christina McKelvie* (Hamilton, Larkhall & Stonehouse), Fergus Ewing (Inverness & Nairn), Willie Coffey (Kilmarnock & Irvine Valley), David Torrance* (Kirkcaldy), Fiona Hyslop* (Linlithgow), Colin Beattie* (Midlothian North & Musselburgh), Christine Grahame+ (Midlothian South, Tweeddale & Lauderdale), Richard Lochhead (Moray), Alasdair Allan (Na h-Eileanan an Iar), George Adam* (Paisley), John Swinney (Perthshire North), Roseanna Cunningham (Perthshire South & Kinross-shire), Derek Mackay* (Renfrewshire North & West), Dave Thompson+ (Skye, Lochaber & Badenoch), Bruce Crawford (Stirling), Fiona McLeod* (Strathkelvin & Bearsden).  *=gains from Labour.   +=gains from Liberal Democrats.   <=gain from Conservatives.

Also 16 Regional List MSPs (44.0%): North-East: Mark McDonald. Highlands & Islands: John Finnie, Mike MacKenzie & Jean Urquhart. West: Stuart McMillan & Stewart Maxwell. Glasgow: Bob Doris & Humza Yousaf. Central: Clare Adamson, Richard Lyle & John Wilson. Mid & Fife: Annabelle Ewing. Lothian: nil. South: Chic Brodie, Joan McAlpine,  Aileen McLeod & Paul Wheelhouse. Total 53+16= 69.  ALEX SALMOND is First Minister and NICOLA STURGEON Deputy First Minister at head of majority Government. Cabinet Secretaries: Nicola Sturgeon (Health, Wellbeing & Cities Strategy),   John Swinney (Finance, Employment & Sustainable Growth), Kenny MacAskill (Justice), Michael Russell (Education & Lifelong Learning), Richard Lochhead (Rural Affairs & the Environment), Fiona Hyslop (Culture & External Affairs), Alex Neil (Infrastructure & Capital Investment) and Bruce Crawford (Parliamentary Business & Government Strategy).      Leader of the Opposition: Iain Gray (Labour).   Presiding Officer: Tricia Marwick. 

2011 (5 May) - Alternative Vote (AV) Referendum for UK elections.    In Scotland, YES vote:  713,813 (36.4%).    NO vote: 1,249,375 (63.6%).

2011 (19 May) - NEIL MacGREGOR wins by-election for the Dyce, Bucksburn & Danestone ward of Aberdeen City Council. SNP is now the largest group on the Council for the first time, and CALLUM McCAIG becomes Group Leader.

2011 (29 May) - Rosemary Hall, National Secretary 1972-75, dead, aged 86.  She was born in Aberdeen.

2011 (23 Jun.) - GORDON TOWNSON wins by-election for the Airyhall, Broomhill & Garthdee ward of Aberdeen City Council.

2011 (29 Jun.) - CALLUM McCAIG is elected Leader of Aberdeen City Council. Coalition with Liberal Democrats continues.

2011 (17 Dec.) - Johann Lamont is the Labour leader of the Opposition at Holyrood.

2012 (10 Jan.) - Scottish Cabinet announces that the Referendum on independence will be held in autumn 2014.

2012 (25 Jan.) - Consultation paper on Referendum published.

2012 (18 Apr.) - Scotland Bill is endorsed by Scottish Parliament.

2012 (25 Apr.) - Stephen Maxwell, Vice-Chairman (Publicity) 1978-82, dead, aged 69.

2012 (3 May) - Local Government Elections. 613 candidates (32.3%) and 424 councillors. Aberdeen: 15 cllrs., NEIL MacGREGOR & GILL SAMARAI (Dyce, Bucksburn & Danestone), MURIEL JAFFRAY & SANDY STUART (Bridge of Don), Dr. DAVID CAMERON (Kingswells & Sheddocksley), JACKIE DUNBAR (Northfield), KIRSTY BLACKMAN (Hilton & Stockethill), JIM NOBLE (Tillydrone, Seaton & Old Aberdeen), BILL CORMIE (Midstocket & Rosemount), ANDY MAY (George St. & Harbour), JOHN CORALL (Hazlehead, Ashley & Queen's Cross), GORDON TOWNSON (Airyhall, Broomhill & Garthdee), JIM KIDDIE & GRAHAM DICKSON (Torry & Ferryhill) and CALLUM McCAIG, Kincorth & Loirston (Group Leader). Labour forms administration with Con. and Ind. members.