The SNP’s leader in the Commons Angus Robertson held on to his Moray seat – dominating almost half of the vote in the biggest victory in the region’s history.
Mr Robertson, who extended his majority from the 2010 result with a return of 24,382 votes from 49,321 cast, said after last night’s result “Scotland would never be the same again”.
Mr Robertson’s 9,063-vote lead was the highest the party has ever secured in the area, and meant the SNP retained a seat they have held for more than 25 years.
After the result was announced at Elgin Town Hall, Mr Robertson said: “I want to thank the voters who gave us not only the highest SNP vote ever in Moray, but the highest ever majority in Moray.
“This is an amazing result, and I must pass on a huge degree of thanks to the SNP campaign team.
“Words fail to adequately describe the massive shift we are currently watching in Scottish politics – none of us in Scotland have ever witnessed anything like it.
“Scotland will never be the same again.”
Mr Robertson, who took on the role of Moray MP in 2001, also vowed to vote against Trident, describing it as a “£100billion waste of money”, and thanked his fellow candidates for “a very good natured contest”.
Support also grew for Conservative candidate Douglas Ross – who finished runner up with 15,319 votes.
Speaking after the result, Mr Ross congratulated Mr Robertson and acknowledged that the result was part of a “great night for the SNP”.
However, he added: “I’m pleased that we have managed to increase the Conservative vote in Moray.”
The 32-year-old Fochabers and Lhanbryde councillor won 4,636 votes more than his 10,683 in 2010.
The seat’s other candidates were Sean Morton, who received 4,898 votes for the Labour party; Jamie Paterson, who as Liberal Democrat candidate won 1,395 votes; the Green party’s James Mackessack-Leitch, who won 1,345; and Rob Scorer, who gained 1,939 votes on the Ukip ticket.
Following the outcome Mr Morton congratulated the SNP, but urged Mr Robertson to ensure he represented the interests of everyone in the constituency.
The voter turnout for the seat increased from 62.3% in 2010 to 68.8% this year, bringing the total number of voters to 49,321 from an electorate of 71,685.